OCALA, Fla. – Ocala police Chief Mike Balken shared a video statement to social media on Thursday updating his agency’s investigation of a man’s fatal shooting last week.
Isaac Toye, 29, is accused of second-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the death of 64-year-old Harold Harper, who police say was shot Jan. 7 while gardening in front of his home that afternoon.
Toye was arrested two blocks away, police said. Officers were reportedly already on their way to the area of the 900 block of Southeast 3rd Street, where a 911 caller had reported a suspicious person with a gun shortly before neighbors heard gunfire.
“The subject motioned for the caller to stop, but the caller continued driving and observed the man appear to rack the slide of what he believed to be a pistol,” a past news release reads.
[PAST COVERAGE: Man fatally shot in front yard near Ocala middle school]
In the new statement, Balken shared insight of Toye’s alleged movements and living arrangements leading up to the shooting, as well as a new wrinkle related to the gun he’s accused of using to kill Harper.
“It’s been just over a week now since the horrific murder of Harold Harper, who was executed while gardening in his front yard last Wednesday,” Balken said. “Since then, our detectives have been working tirelessly not only to deliver the best possible case that we can for our prosecutors, but also to get some answers for the Harper family and our community.”
Balken confirmed Toye is a U.S. military veteran who received a general discharge from the Army after working fewer than 18 months of what was supposed to be an 8-year enlistment.
The chief went on to say his department had one prior incident with Toye more than three years ago, a trespass warning that investigators believe was unrelated to the fatal shooting.
“We have information suggesting that since that contact in 2022, the suspect has been residing in Brandon, Florida, just east of Tampa, until he left his apartment less than six weeks ago. We believe that’s when he may have moved to Marion County,” Balken said. “We believe he may have been staying in a homeless camp near State Road 200 and County Road 484, not far from where his family members live in the Marion Oaks area.”
For more on the shooting investigation, Balken said that Toye purchased a firearm at a local store just two days prior. However, the chief added that Toye was never able to take possession of that gun due to the required 3-day holding period, raising new questions about how he could have obtained the firearm that was used in the shooting.
Balken continued, going over more of what investigators believe were Toye’s whereabouts in the days leading up and commenting that part of timeline remains obscured due to uncooperative interviewees.
“We have reason to believe that the suspect was in Ocala last Tuesday, the day before the shooting, receiving social services from a church located a few blocks away from the victim’s home. We have a reason to think that on the day of the homicide, the suspect traveled from his mother’s home in Marion Oaks into Ocala. He was captured on surveillance video on foot in the downtown area just minutes before the murder. We have not been able to determine how that transportation to and from Marion Oaks was facilitated and that’s simply because the people that have that information are being completely uncooperative with our investigation,” Balken said.
The chief ended by reiterating investigators’ belief that the shooting was a “random and senseless act of violence,” as well as asking for patience and understanding as justice for Harper’s family is pursued.
Neighbors were left rattled by the shooting, telling News 6 that Harper’s death has robbed them of a wonderful man who kept to himself and loved his yard.
[MORE: Ocala community mourns 64-year-old fatally shot in front yard]
Toye made his first court appearance last Thursday and was denied bond. He’s due back in court at 9 a.m. on Feb. 10, records show.