The bartender at Smiles Nite Club in Palm Coast who jumped over the bar to fight off a man with a gun – as the man was holding the gun to a woman’s head – was presented a Lifesaving Award from Sheriff Rick Staly on December 19. David Ghiloni, along with other bar patrons, immediately jumped into action on the night of November 20.
Ghiloni is shown on surveillance footage jumping over the bar to protect the female victim who the suspect, Connor Anderson, had put in a headlock and placed the gun to her head. Ghiloni and bar patrons continued attempting to subdue Anderson as he began to recklessly fire the gun several times within the bar. Their actions allowed the female victim and the rest of the bar patrons to escape further danger.
The shooter, Connor Anderson, was taken into custody a short time later in a nearby parking lot by FCSO Deputies. “This courageous act of protecting the female and fighting off this shooter without a doubt saved lives that night,” said Sheriff Rick Staly.
“I’m honored to be able to recognize David who so selflessly helped those in need and put his own life in harm’s way to protect others.” Mr. Ghiloni was moving to New York, so Sheriff Staly presented him with the FCSO Life Saving Award before he left the area. Additional Lifesaving Awards related to this case will be presented at FCSO’s next Awards Ceremony scheduled for January 26th, 2023.
Anderson faces nine charges, including six second degree felony counts of shooting into a building and two third degree counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The State Attorney’s office filed the charges on Dec. 19. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Melissa Clark. Anderson is represented by defense attorney Aaron Delgado.
Jimbo99 says
This would be the difference between Palm Coast & Orlando or Colorado active mass shooting at bars & night clubs. This one turned out with a heroic story that could’ve been easily just as tragic.
It’s exactly what I said needs to happen with any active shooter situation. The moment a gunman is identified as a threat of that magnitude. There has to be a hero that takes care of the problem early enough that there are as few or no victims for body count. Instead the experts tell people to hide and/or run like cowards. There are only a few outcomes that are more random luck in any strategy. Can either hope the shooter misses or passes by, save the day or get shot in the back running & hoping the shooter points the firearm & shoots another runner in the back. That’s an instantaneous & instinctive decision of fight or flight. I don’t know that I would’ve been able to make that call myself, so I choose to avoid the problems of the bar scene altogether.
As this story is relived in an article, I just find it amazing they didn’t just kill the gunman instead of subdue him. I mean the active shooter’s life is ruined going forward for being the gunman. Be real about it, who is hiring that person to be a co-worker ever ? And that’s if nobody is harmed. Casualties & the shooter is locked up for life (Parkland shooter). There’s no rehab in that.
JohnX says
There was a second man that seemed to deserve recognition also, at least thats what the video showed.