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Police: Lakeland man kills brother following dispute over family issues

Posted at 7:57 PM, May 22, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-22 23:16:18-04

LAKELAND, Fla. — A homicide investigation is underway in Lakeland after a man allegedly shot his brother in the head following a dispute over family issues, police say.

Lakeland Police officers responded to a reported shooting at The Park At Cortona Apartments at 10:35 p.m. on Monday. 

The resident, Henry Schreiner, 55, allegedly told police he shot his brother inside of the apartment. Police found Robert Schreiner, 52, inside the bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after.

Henry Schreiner told officers that he picked up his brother from his home in Polk City and brought him back to his apartment. The two brothers began drinking tequila and playing cards.

At some point during the evening, Schreiner said his brother became agitated and irate over family issues and the two began to argue. During the argument, Schreiner said his brother pulled out a pocket knife, brandishing it as a weapon, and threatened to cut his throat. His brother then told him to go to his room and go to sleep.

Schreiner told police that once inside the bedroom, his brother followed him in and continued the argument. Schreiner then reportedly grabbed his firearm, which he kept under his pillow, and told his brother to go back to the living room. His brother then reportedly moved to the foot of the bed with the knife in hand and Schreiner, who told police he was in fear for his life, shot him.

"After seeing his brother fall to the ground, Schreiner realized he had, in fact, shot his brother and placed the firearm to the side of his head and pulled the trigger in an attempt to take his own life," Lakeland Police wrote in a press release. "After the unsuccessful attempt, Schreiner then called Lakeland Police, advising that he shot his brother."

Schreiner was transported to Lakeland Regional Health, where he remains, with non-life-threatening injuries to his face and eye. 

The investigation is ongoing.