UPDATE: JULY 8, 7:15 p.m.
Fox 4 has obtained a newly released report about what led up to the deadly shooting.
According to the report, they got a call about someone shot in the leg, later identified as Balunas.
Romero was unresponsive in the front yard with a 9mm gun next to him, the report says.
Deputies say Balunas went to the hospital and was adamant about talking to detectives. He said he got in an argument with Romero, who he hasn't gotten along with for a couple years.
Balunas said Romero shot first and prompted him to return fire. He said he did not believe he shot Romero while his back was turned.
However, the report says his story changed during a second interview.
In that interview, he said Romero told Balunas in a text message that he was going to "slide up" to his house, which Balunas said he understood that as Romero being on his way to kill him.
Balunas said he armed himself, due to hearing of a recent shooting involving juveniles in the past week. This is likely referring to the Facebook Marketplace shooting in Port Charlotte two days prior.
According to the report, Balunas said Romero approached the home, through the grass and diagonal to the carport.
Deputies say Balunas told them that Romero grabbed his gun first, drew it and that's when Balunas fired two rounds. The report says Romero did fire and it hit Balunas in the leg.
The sheriff's office interviewed another person. While their name is redacted in the report, it is important to note Washington was also arrested in connection to the deadly shooting.
The person deputies interviewed told them Balunas got a text from someone stating he owed a debt.
That's when the report says Romero came to the home and was "fidgeting" under a hooded shirt and waistband, which is when a gun was reportedly seen.
The person did not see who shot first, but heard a gunshot.
According to the report, Balunas dropped his gun and it was picked up by the second person. They said they put it in their backpack inside the house so his younger sister wouldn't get a hold of it. That gun was later discovered by detectives.
UPDATE: JULY 8, 6:40 p.m.
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office says three days after a deadly shooting, a second teenager has been charged.
Deputies arrested 18-year-old Octavion Washington and he's charged with principle in the first degree for the homicide. 19-year-old Michael Balunas is charged with second-degree murder for the killing of 17-year-old Anthony Romero.
According to the sheriff's office, there was a dispute between two teenagers on July 5 on Hernando Avenue in Port Charlotte.
Romero suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. Balunas was shot in the leg and transported to a local hospital for treatment. He was later released and arrested.
Detectives say Washington was directly involved in the shooting and was taken to the Charlotte County Jail on Tuesday afternoon.
“This is a perfect example of why I urge parents to have conversations with their children and know who their friends are. Hanging around the wrong crowd can lead to them being involved in horrible situations like this.," said Sheriff Bill Prummell. "As one family continues to grieve and mourn the senseless loss of their teenage son, a 3rd family’s life is now forever changed. I would like to thank my Major Crimes Unit for continuing to leave no stone unturned and maintaining the integrity of the investigation by ensuring the people involved are charged accordingly.”
Investigators are expected to clear the scene on Hernando Avenue on Tuesday evening.
Update 6:00 pm
Charlotte County Sheriffs Office gives an update on the shooting investigation.
The two males with gunshot wounds are Anthony Steven Romero, 17, and Michael Balunas, 19.
Romero suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. Balunas was shot in the leg and transported to a local hospital for treatment. He was later released.
Major Crimes detectives determined there had been an ongoing dispute between the two teens. The encounter turned violent when both presented firearms and fired at each other.
Balunas is being charged with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a Florida delinquent adult.
The investigation is ongoing, and neighbors should expect deputies in the area over the next 24 hours.
Update 9:45 pm
Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell just gave an update on the shooting investigation.
He says it started as a fight between three teenagers. He says one was shot and killed. Another teen was shot and injured. He says all three are accounted for.
Watch his entire update here:
Original Story
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office said it was working a shooting investigation Saturday evening.
They're asking people who live in the area around Belinda Ave and Gibralter Dr to stay in their homes.
In a social media post, the sheriff's office said several units were on the scene. They asked if anyone saw something suspicious to let them know.
Fox 4 has a crew on the way to the scene and will update this breaking news story as soon as new information comes in.
