Michael Alan Ladson was convicted of attempted second-degree murder for a 2022 shooting at Coasters in Fort Walton Beach.
Ladson fired a single shot at Charles Meeks after returning to the bar following a verbal dispute and being asked to leave.
He received a 30-year prison sentence with a 25-year mandatory minimum.
(Okaloosa County, Florida) – Michael Alan Ladson, a Fort Walton Beach resident, has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison following his conviction for attempted second-degree murder in a shooting that occurred at Coasters, a local bar, in 2022. The sentencing was handed down by Circuit Judge William Stone on October 16, 2025.
Ladson was convicted by an Okaloosa County jury on July 30, 2025, for the shooting of Charles Meeks, who sustained a gunshot wound to the upper chest but survived. The jury also found that Ladson had a firearm, discharged it during the crime, and caused great bodily harm. His sentence includes a 25-year mandatory minimum under Florida’s firearm enhancement laws.
According to court records and statements from law enforcement, the shooting took place in the early morning hours of March 26, 2022. Meeks and his friends were playing pool at Coasters when they had interactions with Ladson outside the bar that escalated into verbal disputes. A security guard at Coasters instructed Ladson to leave the property and not return for the night.
Approximately one hour later, Ladson returned to Coasters. Evidence presented at trial indicated that he pulled out a firearm and fired a single shot at Meeks, striking him in the chest. The security guard immediately detained Ladson until officers from the Fort Walton Beach Police Department arrived on the scene.
During the trial, the jury considered multiple factors, including the possession and discharge of a firearm and the severity of the injuries sustained by Meeks. These findings supported the conviction of attempted second-degree murder and the application of the mandatory minimum sentence.
The investigation and arrest were conducted by the Fort Walton Beach Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney A.J. Gomez on behalf of State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden of the First Judicial Circuit of Florida.
“This case demonstrates the importance of swift law enforcement response and thorough prosecution in protecting community safety,” said Assistant State Attorney Gomez.
The State Attorney’s Office emphasized that convictions involving firearms and significant bodily harm carry strict penalties under Florida law, which aim to both punish offenders and deter future criminal activity.
The shooting at Coasters and subsequent trial drew attention within Fort Walton Beach and the wider Okaloosa County community, highlighting concerns about public safety and the enforcement of local laws regarding weapons in public spaces.
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St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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