A seemingly ordinary conversation about poultry took a violent turn at a Florida bar, leading to a shooting and multiple arrests. The incident began with a debate over a surprisingly contentious topic: how many eggs a chicken can lay.
From Farm Talk to Firearms
On November 4, a group at Harper’s Pub in Port Saint Lucie was introduced to a man known as “Farmer Pete.” Later identified as 44-year-old Peter Riera, he began discussing chickens and egg production with Brandon Pace, 23; his girlfriend, Kayla Damiana, 26; and Tyler McHargue, 23.
What started as a casual chat quickly escalated. According to police documents, Riera inexplicably grew paranoid, convinced the trio was planning to “jump” him. He then allegedly accused them of trying to “con” him and pulled out a gun. As the three fled for their safety, Riera reportedly fired four rounds in their direction. Fortunately, no one was injured by the gunfire.
Chaotic Aftermath and Additional Arrests
The situation spiraled further when police arrived on the scene. Body camera footage obtained by local media showed Riera being arrested outside the pub, dressed in jean overalls and seemingly without his shoes.
The response led to more legal trouble for others involved. Brandon Pace was arrested for allegedly obstructing officers and kicking two of them during his detention. Kayla Damiana was also arrested for resisting an officer without violence after she ran toward the scene despite orders to stay back. She was later released on a $500 bond. Pace, who is no longer in custody, still faces charges of resisting an officer with violence and two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer. Tyler McHargue cooperated with the police and was not charged.
Serious Charges and Hefty Bond
The alleged shooter, Peter Riera, now faces the most severe consequences. He is currently being held in the St. Lucie County Jail on a $435,000 bond. The charges against him are serious and include multiple counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and other offenses like discharging a firearm in public.
This bizarre event serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a trivial disagreement can escalate into a dangerous situation with life-altering legal repercussions for everyone involved.
