After crashing car into tree, man points gun at Groveland residents, police say

GROVELAND, Fla. – Groveland officers responded to a call after receiving reports of a man pointing a gun at people in a Lake County neighborhood Monday morning.

A resident told police he was in his front yard when he saw a car heading south on Howey Road, and then watched as it drove into a yard, hitting a tree.

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The driver, later identified as Darrick Harris, 39, jumped out of the car running across Howey Road and back again, according to the witness.

A resident saw Harris pointing a gun at two passing cars.

Another resident told deputies she heard a big bang outside her home and went outside to see a vehicle had wrecked into a tree in her yard. She told deputies the driver tried to open her door, but it was locked.

Groveland police at the Osprey Cove neighborhood made contact with Harris after he was seen walking on Jim Payne Road with a gun in his hand, according to the arrest report.

Witnesses said Harris pointed a gun at several people throughout the neighborhood before his arrest.

Harris told deputies he shot himself in the left hand while trying to load the weapon.

Harris told deputies someone drugged his food, but could not provide any more information. He said he “snorted powder,” but later said in his interview that he “only took mollies.”

Harris is charged with 10 offenses, including felony aggravated assault, attempted carjacking with a deadly weapon and leaving the scene of an accident.