Judge grants bond for man accused of fatally shooting Walmart diaper thief

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A 51-year-old man who was arrested Wednesday in connection with the Feb. 4 shooting death of a 19-year-old shoplifter outside an Orange County Walmart faced a judge Thursday morning.

The judge set Lonnie Leonard’s bond at $100,000 and appointed him a public defender.

Leonard is accused of fatally shooting Arthur Adams, one of two people who stole a shopping cart filled with diapers from the store on Clarcona-Ocoee Road, deputies said.

Investigators said Adams was confronted by a loss-prevention employee, who was using a cellphone to take photos of the man.

Deputies said Leonard ran from the store to intervene and pulled a gun from his jacket pocket. They said he ordered the men to stop what they were doing.

Witnesses told detectives that Leonard shot at the men as they tried to flee, according to an arrest affidavit.

Leonard told detectives that he feared the men were reaching for a weapon, but he said he never saw one, the report said. Deputies said they found nine spent shell casings at the scene.

Adams was found at a nearby Citgo gas station. Investigators said he had been shot in the back and in the leg. He was taken to the hospital, where he died.

Investigators in late March recommended that Leonard be charged in the death.

Leonard is charged with manslaughter, aggravated battery and carrying a concealed firearm.

Cox Media Group