A 53-year-old Pompano Beach man is behind bars after deputies say he shot a gas station clerk following a dispute over a bottle of soda.
The shooting happened shortly after 7:40 p.m. Thursday at the Marathon gas station located at 220 South Dixie Highway, right at the intersection with Southwest Third Street. When Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived, they found a man shot in the abdomen behind the store counter.
According to the arrest report, the suspect, identified as Zalim Bacchus, was found inside the store carrying a .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Deputies say he didn’t try to run or hide — instead, he raised his hands and immediately admitted, “I shot him.”
The clerk gave deputies his own account of what led up to the shooting. He said Bacchus had gone into the restroom, and when he came out, the clerk noticed he appeared to be hiding a bottle of Sprite. That’s when the clerk locked him inside the store and confronted him about it. Things escalated quickly from there — Bacchus allegedly pulled out his gun and opened fire.
Surveillance footage later reviewed by investigators showed Bacchus was still inside the convenience store when deputies arrived on scene. Investigators say an altercation broke out between Bacchus and the clerk just before the shots were fired.
Fire Rescue crews rushed the wounded clerk to Broward Health North, where his condition was listed as critical but stable. As of Friday afternoon, his exact condition hadn’t been publicly confirmed by authorities.
Outside the store Friday morning, a green Kia Soul remained parked next to a fuel pump — regular customers told reporters it belongs to the clerk. The shooting has left workers in the area on edge. “That’s scary ’cause, I mean, what if I was here when that happened?” said Gabriela Golart, who works nearby.
Bacchus was booked into the Broward County Main Jail in Fort Lauderdale on Friday morning and now faces a charge of aggravated battery, a first-degree felony. Broward County Circuit Judge Michael Lynch is set to preside over the case.
Detectives are still looking into what exactly triggered the confrontation. Anyone with information about this case, or any other, is asked to call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477. Callers can remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details are released.
