Nienhuis Refuses to Acknowledge Fatal Shootings Ahead of Primary Election

SPRING HILL – Since Saturday, there have been two fatal shootings, but Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis refuses to confirm that there have been any fatalities, provide suspect information, or talk about possible motives.

Around 2:00 a.m. Saturday a man was shot in the head and then shot several more times as his body lay on the ground in front of Mermaids Lounge. The only information provided by the Sheriff's Office was a Facebook post stating that a shooting occurred and that "all parties were accounted for." There have been no updates since that shooting.

Last night, several people were shot at Mariner Cay Apartments (FULL STORY), killing at least one person who sources say was just a 15-year-old high school student. There are unconfirmed reports that a second teen may have died and that others were injured.

During a press conference at the scene last night, Nienhuis would only state that three people were shot. Reporters pressed him on their conditions, but he refused to elaborate. The entire time, Nienhuis was fully aware that the deceased was lying between the victims' vehicle and Great Clips located in the Publix shopping plaza. Nienhuis did state that a "person of interest" was in custody, but did not release the identity. Witnesses at Mariner Cay Apartments say at least 3 people were taken into custody.

Moments before the press conference, the agency's Air Unit landed in the parking lot and remained running while Nienhuis spoke with reporters. Noise from the helicopter made it nearly impossible for reporters to ask questions or to hear what Nienhuis was saying. After Nienhuis walked away, the helicopter shut off the engines. It's not known why Nienhuis held the press conference next to the air unit, why it was there, or why the engines were kept running, but there is speculation that Nienhuis wanted to use the noise as an excuse to end the press conference quickly.

Following the shooting, R News learned the identity of the deceased but out of respect for the family, and until there is an official statement, we are not going to publish his identity.

R News has received numerous tips that last night's shooting was gang-related and that there are fears of retaliation in the coming days.

The Hernando County School District sent a text message to parents this morning that reads: Law Enforcement has notified the district of a shooting in the area of Mariner Cay late last night. While HCSO has a person of interest in custody, in an abundance of caution, there will be increased security on campus this morning. The district did not elaborate on which school campus was of most concern.

There is growing suspicion that Nienhuis is putting politics before public safety, by hiding details of the shootings and other violent crimes occurring in the Spring Hill area. In stark contrast, Nienhuis has appeared on numerous Facebook videos, praising the work of his deputies and volunteers who are searching for the missing elderly man David Lamar Brown.

Another clear sign of Nienhuis intentionally hiding details of violent crime this past weekend is what the agency decided to release in their Weekend Briefing Notes. Every Monday, the agency releases a select number of incidents that occurred over any given weekend and provides a recap on the agency's Facebook page. Today, instead of publishing incidents that occurred in the last 48 hours, they chose to publish incidents from last weekend.

Gang activity has spiked in Hernando County, specifically in the Spring Hill area, but despite desperate pleas from the community to do something about the violence, Nienhuis has remained silent and refuses to acknowledge there is an issue at all. The main theme of Nienhuis' campaign is, "Crime is down under my watch."

Residents say Nienhuis is putting his re-election campaign ahead of fighting crime and that he has "blood on his hands" for doing nothing to stop it.

The Primary Election will be held tomorrow and that's when voters will decide if Nienhuis or his opponent Joe Puglia will be the next Sheriff of Hernando County.

UPDATE: Immediately after R News sent an email to HCSO at 4:17 p.m. today, a statement was released regarding the Mermaid Lounge shooting. Here is that statement:

On 08-17-24 at 1:55 a.m., Hernando County Sheriff's deputies responded to Mermaids Lounge located at 4564 Commercial Way in Spring Hill in reference to a report of a shooting.

Witnesses at the scene advised Willie Joe Frazier Jr. was shot multiple times by Joshua Howard DOB/07-13-1989 while standing in front of Mermaids Lounge.

Frazier was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Following the shooting, Howard attempted to flee the area on foot, but not before accidentally shooting himself in the side as he attempted to tuck his firearm into his waistband.

Howard was apprehended by deputies a short time later outside of a nearby business located near the intersection of Berkeley Manor Boulevard and Frontage Road.

Investigation revealed the incident started inside Mermaids Lounge when Frazier bumped into Howard. Howard then exited the bar and waited outside the front door. When Frazier exited the bar a few minutes later, Howard confronted Frazier about, "Why he (Frazier) put his hands on him."

The two exchanged words before Frazier began walking away. Howard began to follow Frazier at which time Frazier appeared to punch Howard. Howard proceeded to brandish a firearm and shoot Frazier multiple times, which was captured on video surveillance.

Following the shooting, Howard was transported to an area trauma center for treatment of his self-inflicted gunshot wound. Howard remains hospitalized under guard by the Pasco Sheriff's Office.

Howard is currently charged with 2nd Degree Murder with a Firearm.

When Howard is released from the hospital, he will be transported to the Pasco County Jail for processing.