- April 19, 2024
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by: Ava Hanner
Public Affairs Officer, Flagler County Sheriff's Office
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 — was presented a Lifesaving Award from Sheriff Rick Staly on Dec. 19.
David Ghiloni, along with bar patrons, had immediately jumped into action on the night of Nov. 20.
Ghiloni is shown on surveillance footage jumping over the bar to protect the victim, whom the suspect, Connor Anderson, had put in a headlock, with 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 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,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “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.”
Ghiloni was moving to New York, so Staly presented him with the FCSO Lifesaving Award before he left the area.
Additional Lifesaving Awards related to this case will be presented at FCSO’s next Awards Ceremony scheduled for Jan. 26th, 2023.
