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Police: St. Pete man shot near I-275 after an argument at Wawa where victim threw coffee on shooter

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St. Petersburg Police are investigating a shooting on Sunday that originally began as a verbal argument at a Wawa store.

Detectives say 34-year-old Bryan Stevens got into an argument with 59-year-old Vincent Pontone at the Wawa located at 2465 22nd Avenue North.

Following the argument, police say Stevens threw coffee at Pontone and then left the store on his bicycle. Soon after, Pontone left the Wawa in his car.

The two men eventually met up at the intersection of 22nd Avenue North and I-275. Police say the man gave differing accounts of what happened next.

Authorities say that Stevens rode his bicycle onto the median of the street and resumed his argument with Pontone.

Pontone alleges that Stevens aggressively approached him at the intersection while he waited for the traffic light to change. That is when the older man pulled out a handgun and fired two shots.

Both gunshots hit Stevens in the upper torso. Paramedics transported him to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg for treatment. Stevens is expected to survive.

Pontone remained at the shooting scene and cooperated with police.

The investigation remains open and police have not announced if they intend to arrest Pontone and charge him in the shooting.