:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JUNOQMO3JNHJFE5FIYOTUTF3EI.jpg)
Man accused of setting Ocala church on fire charged with federal hate crime
MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A 24-year-old Marion County man is charged with a federal hate crime after he set a church in Ocala on fire last summer, prosecutors with the U.S. Department of Justice say. Steven Shields was indicted by a federal grand jury in Orlando, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday. Photo: Marion County Sheriff's OfficeShields told detectives what he did was “awesome,” and he smiled and laughed, the affidavit said. Shields is charged with one count of intentional damage to religious property, a hate crime charge that falls under the Church Arson Prevention Act, and one count of using fire to commit a felony. Use the form below to sign up for the ClickOrlando.com 4pm Trending newsletter, sent every weekday.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3PUDFKHNLNBWJAVWAWSK2OCE5A.jpg)
Double murder-suicide investigated after hours-long standoff in Marion County
DUNNELLON, Fla. – A man shot and killed his mother and grandmother before committing suicide during a SWAT standoff in Marion County, sheriff’s officials said. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called Sunday night for a shooting on SW Plantation Street in Dunnellon. AdThe MCSO SWAT team was called and an hours-long standoff ensued, sheriff’s officials said. Officials said efforts were made to resolve the situation, but Michael Chiswick fired shots at a deputy and others. “This is a difficult situation for everyone involved and our prayers are with the victims’ family,” Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/2SUUTRH33FBMFDSVSU2WHSP74I.jpg)
Motorcyclist killed in crash with dump truck in Marion County
A 45-year-old Dunnellon man was killed Friday morning in a crash involving a motorcycle and a dump truck in Marion County, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The fatal crash was reported at 6:40 a.m. on State Road 40 at SW 113 Terrace near Ocala. The FHP said the dump truck, driven by a 57-year-old Ocala man, made a U-turn and entered the path of the motorcycle, which struck the truck. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said. The crash is under investigation.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DMTG2LJUKZAPXKOSTBNDSV34PM.jpg)
3 dead after fiery crash on State Road 200 in Marion County
MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Two women and a 16-year-old girl were killed in a head-on, fiery crash on State Road 200 in Marion County Friday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said a 60-year-old Crystal River man was driving a pickup truck towing a 12-foot trailer eastbound on State Road 200 near County Road 484 around 6:20 a.m. when he failed to maintain his lane and entered into the westbound lane. After the initial crash, troopers said the truck hit the left side of a second sedan that was also in the westbound lane. The 39-year-old woman driving the first sedan and a 16-year-old girl who was in the back seat died at the scene of the crash. The 73-year-old woman driving the second sedan also died at the scene of the crash.