Two shot during fight at strip club

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 25, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - A woman and a man were shot during an argument with two men outside a strip club early Sunday morning, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office said.

Investigators say the shots were fired about 2 a.m. in the parking lot of Diamonds Gentleman's Club at 3935 Grand Blvd. Deputies arrived to find the woman with "potentially life-threatening injuries," including a gunshot wound to the head.

The woman, who is in her mid to late 20s, was taken to Community Hospital and later airlifted to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. Her name was not released, pending notification of her relatives.

"It didn't look good for her," said Doug Tobin, a Sheriff's Office spokesman.

The man was identified as Anthony Monti, 32, of New Port Richey. Monti was shot in the left arm and taken to Community Hospital, the Sheriff's Office said. However, the hospital had no record of Monti being there.

Authorities were still searching for two unidentified men in connection with the shooting. No arrests had been made as of Sunday evening.

The trouble started when Monti and the woman, who formerly worked at the club, got into an argument with several people near closing time, investigators said. The argument turned physical, ending with gunfire.

[Last modified February 24, 2008, 21:55:44]