Port Charlotte teen shootout leaves one shooter wounded and charged with murdering the other

Pictured: Michael Balunas, 19, charged with the shooting murder of Anthony Steven Romero, 17.  Image credit: CCSO

(July 7, 2025) Yesterday, Florida’s Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) reported that on July 5 at approximately 5:20 pm, a 911 caller reported a shooting in the area of the 22000 block of Hernando Avenue in Port Charlotte. After arriving on the scene, the responding deputies located two male teens with gunshot wounds. Deputies initiated lifesaving measures, with EMS personnel taking over once the scene was determined to be safe. 

One of the males, identified as 19-year-old Michael Balunas, suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and was transported to a local hospital for treatment and later released. The other male, 17-year-old Anthony Steven Romero, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead on the scene.

Law enforcement officials said that while the investigation is still active and ongoing, Major Crimes detectives determined there had been an on-going dispute between the two teens for some time. Tragically, this latest encounter turned violent and deadly when both presented firearms and fired them at one another.

“The outcome of an argument has left two families with their lives forever changed. An argument escalating to deadly violence in any circumstance is unacceptable, but when it’s between two teenagers, it is simply unfathomable. When kids and guns come together, it more often than not, ends in tragedy.

Once again, we have lost two young lives.  One sadly ending in death, the other facing prison, and a family grieving over the senseless loss of their child.  This did not need to happen. In the last 48 hours, we have responded to two incidents involving teenagers with firearms, resulting in serious injuries and a death. As parents and guardians, it’s important to have conversations with our children about their lives, who they hang out with, healthy conflict resolution, and what to do if they need help.”  ~ Sheriff Bill Prummell

Michael Balunas is being charged with second degree murder and possession of a firearm by a Florida delinquent adult.

For more the tragic story of one teen shot dead and another charged in his murder, see the video below.

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(Source: Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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