‘I kid you not’: Shots fired over ‘how many eggs a chicken can lay’ disagreement in Florida

On Tuesday, November 5, 2025, gunfire erupted outside Harper’s Pub in the Treasure Coast community of Port St. Lucie, Florida, after a late-night debate about how many eggs chickens can lay.

According to local police, 44-year-old Peter Riera opened fire. Police say Riera was at the bar around 2:48 a.m. with three young adults — two men and a woman — whom he had met earlier that evening, according to Florida news outlet WPTV.

The shooter became “agitated” and “paranoid”

At some pint, the group, police say, began discussing chickens and eggs. “There was a conversation about how many, I kid you not, how many eggs a chicken can lay. And that conversation got a little heated, and as it went out into the parking lot, the conversation continued, and the shooter became agitated, became paranoid,” said Master Sergeant Dominick Mesiti of the Port St. Lucie Police Department.

The dispute happened after the bar closed, outside in the parking lot, where officers say Riera smoked marijuana. Riera, a chicken farmer, then accused the others of trying to “con” him, and pulled out a .45-caliber Glock.

Police say he fired four shots at the group as they fled for cover. Fortunately, Riera’s shots hit no one. According to multiple reports, all parties involved were drinking, which likely contributed to the situation.

All involved now face charges

Law enforcement records say Riera is charged with three counts of attempted aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He also faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, four counts of discharging a firearm in public, and one count of use of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He is currently held without bond.

Meanwhile, Port St. Lucie police arrested the two other bar-group members, charging 24-year-old Brandon Pace with resisting an officer with violence and battery on two officers. Responding officers also arrested 26-year-old Kayla Damiani for resisting an officer without violence.

Law enforcement now holds Pace without bond. Authorities released Damiani after she posted $500 bond. Investigators say the sign posted near the bar entrance warned “No Guns Allowed,” and Riera himself allegedly placed a 911 call after opening fire.

“Arming yourself with a handgun when you’re under the influence is not a good idea. There’s never going to be a good outcome with that,” Sargeant Mesiti added. Anyone who may have seen the event or captured footage is asked to contact Detective Samantha DiPierro at (772) 871-5001 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at (800) 273-8477.