Woman dies from injuries in strip club shooting

NEW PORT RICHEY — One of the two victims in last weekend’s shooting at a west Pasco County strip club has died from her injuries.

Kellie Zorka, 27, of Holiday, was taken off a respirator at Bayfront Medical Center early this morning after being in a coma for the past week, according to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. Zorka had suffered a severe brain injury after suffering a gunshot wound to the head.

Bryan Heater, 27, of New Port Richey was arrested Tuesday in connection with the shooting. He remains in the Land O’ Lakes Jail in Pasco County on three counts of attempted murder.

The Pasco-Pinellas State Attorney’s Office now considers the case a homicide and is trying to determine what charges Heater might face.

Authorities said the trouble started in the parking lot of Diamonds Gentleman’s Club at 3935 Grand Blvd., near closing time on Feb. 24. Heater and at least one other person were allegedly arguing with others in the crowd, and the confrontation soon led to gunfire.

Zorka, who formerly worked at the club, was shot in the head and flown to Bayfront. Anthony Monti, 32, of New Port Richey, was shot in the left arm and treated at a local hospital. Alexander Wilson, a bouncer at the club, was fired at, but not hit, according to the Sheriff’s Office.