Woman sought in connection with drive-by shooting that injured toddler

Police searching for Alicia Winters

TAVARES, Fla. – An arrest warrant was issued for a woman Thursday in connection with a drive-by shooting that injured a 2-year-old girl Tuesday night.

Police issued a warrant for Alicia Winters (pictured below) in the shooting that was reported at 9 p.m. on West Rosewood Lane in Tavares.

The 2-year-old girl is recovering after she was struck in the shooting in Lake County, officials said.

Alicia Winters

Police said occupants of a dark gray Chevrolet Malibu drove by an apartment and opened fire, grazing toddler Sy'mia Pierce, who was in a parked car, in the abdomen.

The toddler's mom, Tiffany Collins, said she'd been arguing back and forth Tuesday with the woman whose children share the same father.

That woman came by the home, and Collins threw a cup of water at her car. Collins believes the woman is behind the shooting. However, Tavares police have not confirmed that account, or that Winters is that woman.

"I threw a cup of water at her car, or whatever. I didn't know she was going to come back and shoot," Collins said.

"Our main focus right now is finding who actually fired the shots. We can get Alicia in. We can find who fired the shots. We can find out who else was in the vehicle. That's our main focus," Cpl. Sarah Coursey said.

The girl was taken to Florida Hospital Waterman in Eustis. Officials said she is expected to make a full recovery.

"There have been problems, but not like this," a neighbor said. "We've been here 14 months, and this is the first time we heard gunshots."

Bullets also struck the outside walls of apartments and a fence.

Neighbor Lucy Lulo urged others to think before reacting in a serious situation.

"Picture yourself as a mother, a father, or a brother to one of these children and think what could happen if it was you. Put yourself in the place of these people right now," Lulo said.

No other injuries were reported.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Tavares Police Department at 352-742-6300.

Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.


About the Authors:

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.

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