Mai-Kel Bryant arrested and accused of fatally shooting man at Circle K gas station. (JSO, Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 22-year-old man was arrested on Thursday in connection with a fatal shooting that happened at a Circle K off Square Lake Boulevard, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
Mai-kel Bryant was arrested for 2nd degree murder and tampering with evidence.
Police said the incident occurred around 9 p.m. at a Circle K on Southside Boulevard and Square Lake Boulevard.
Witnesses and surveillance showed an argument had taken place between Omar Padilla, 36, and Bryant, an employee of the store. The argument started inside the store and continued into the parking lot where Bryant shot Padilla, JSO said.
Jacksonville Fire Rescue took him to the hospital, where he died.
Bryant then drove off and he was taken into custody at a nearby resident a short time later.
Watch the full briefing below.
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
About the AuthorBriana Brownlee headshotBriana Brownlee
Briana Brownlee is excited to call Jacksonville home and join the News4JAX team. She joins us from Southwest Florida, where she reported at Fox 4 News in Fort Myers. Before making it to the Sunshine state, she got her start in Rapid City South Dakota as the morning reporter and later transitioned into the weekend Sports Anchor.
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