Two of the three shooting victims released from the hospital - News - Ocala.com
Two 17-year-old boys and one 26-year-old man were wounded in two separate shootings Tuesday night.
OCALA – Two of the three people wounded Tuesday night in two separate shootings have been released from the hospital. The third remains hospitalized.
Ocala Police Department detectives are searching for the gunmen — or a gunman — who shot the three male victims in two neighborhoods.
Detectives have not released the names of the victims, but said they were two 17-year-old boys and a 26-year-old man. Their injuries were not life-threatening. One of the teens was shot five times and was hit in the legs and ankle, said a woman who knows both victims. The woman, who asked not to be identified, said the other teen has been released from the hospital. Detectives confirmed Wednesday that one of the teens was released.
The shootings occurred at Deer Run, 2902 NE Fourth Court, and at Berkeley Pointe apartments (the former Spring Manor Apartments), 2867 NE Seventh St.
The buildings are less than five miles apart; the shootings occurred within an hour and 20 minutes of each another. At this pint, detectives do not know if they are related.
The first shooting was reported at 8:12 p.m. at Deer Run Apartments. An officer heard nearby gunshots while on another call in the 2900 block of Northwest Third Terrace.
When officers drove into the duplex-style complex, they were stopped by someone at the apartment. There, officers saw the two teens; one was lying on the ground surrounded by people, the other was leaning against a vehicle. Both teens were bleeding, and one of the officers applied pressure to one of the victim’s wounds.
The officers were told the victims were inside one of the buildings when someone knocked on the door. When the teens went outside, shots were fired and a car sped away from the scene.
An empty vehicle in the parking lot was hit by bullets. Officers collected shell casings from the scene; they are not releasing the type of firearm used.
As officers and detectives were investigating that shooting, they were called at 9:32 p.m. to Berkeley Pointe Apartments, where shots were fired. The 26-year-old victim was rushed to a hospital.
Officers recovered shell casings at the scene.
People told officers the 26-year-old victim was sitting on the steps outside of the building when shots were fired. Wounded, he ran to a nearby apartment. A white Honda Accord drove away but then crashed into a tree across the street from the complex. The occupant or occupants got out and ran. Police said the vehicle was reported stolen to the Marion County Sheriff's Office on Monday. Authorities said the victim has been discharged from the hospital and is recovering.
Neighbors at Berkeley Pointe said on Wednesday they believe the victim was an innocent bystander. They said he is a nice guy and a hard worker who was sitting outside eating when the shots were fired. They said he was hit in the arms and a leg.
Anyone with information about the shootings can call the OPD at 369-7000. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP. Tipsters also can send a text to 274637, using keyword 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.
Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb.
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