Fatal Shooting at Local Bar, Sheriff Still Stays 'Crime is Down'

SPRING HILL – At least one person is dead and another injured in a shooting at a local bar, according to sources.

The incident occurred early Saturday at Mermaids Lounge and Eatery located at 4564 Commercial Way. The Hernando County Sheriff's Office is not providing details into the shooting other than stating, "All parties are accounted for."

Multiple shootings, stabbings (Many fatal), and other violent crimes have taken place at Mermaids over the last decade, but there has been no action taken to quell the violence.

Spring Hill has seen a spike in violent crime over the last few years, but Sheriff Nienhuis is touting "Crime is down," under his watch. Due to early voting being underway, and the Primary election fast approaching, many say Nienhuis is intentionally suppressing violent criminal incidents and even reclassifying cases to present lower crime statistics.

R News will continue to bring updates into this morning's shooting as information develops.