A man is killed and a woman injured in a 'targeted' afternoon shooting at a Florida shopping mall
Authorities in central Florida have issued an arrest warrant for a 39-year-old man accused of fatally shooting another man at a shopping mall two days before Christmas in which police say the victim was “targeted” for the attack.
Dog returned to owner after being stolen from horse event in Ocala, police say
The Ocala Police Department confirmed to News 6 on Saturday that Ty was reunited with his owner after the person who had possession of him met with officers April 17. No arrest has been made at the time of this report, police said.
Police warn of 2011 ‘serial rapist’ sketch recirculating on social media
OCALA, Fla. – Ocala police are issuing a warning about an old sketch of a suspected serial rapist that’s currently recirculating on social media. According to the Ocala Police Department, the sketch is from a news story in 2011 but has recently been shared by social media users as though it’s current. [TRENDING: Woman arrested in hit-run involving sheriff | Gov: Fla. won’t require ‘vaccine passports’ | Girl missing for weeks]The post includes a photo of a man with short hair and glasses, as well as a tattoo believed to be on the suspect’s left forearm. AdRUMOR CONTROL 🚨 This picture, referencing a news article, has been part of a post that is circulating social media as of... Posted by Ocala Police Department on Friday, March 19, 2021The police department published the “rumor control” post on Facebook Friday, saying “We are here to tell you that this article was from 2011, this is not current and there is not a serial rapist on the loose in Ocala.”The department followed up with a friendly reminder about spreading misinformation online. “Remember, do your research before sharing information,” the post read.
Trailblazing Majors retire, continue serving Ocala community without badge
Tara Woods saw an ad for an Ocala Community Service Officer at a church in 1990. “It was a great way to give back to the community I grew up in.”Retired Maj. Tara Woods with Ocala Police (Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.) Retired Maj. Robin Ford with Ocala Police (Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.) Twenty-two days later both Woods and Ford are back serving their community as civilians. Retired Maj. Robin Ford (left) & Retired Maj. Tara Woods (right) (Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)
Ocala officer-involved in serious crash, police say
An Ocala police cruiser damaged in a crash on Feb. 26, 2021. (Image: Ocala Police Department)MARION COUNTY, Fla. – An Ocala police officer was involved in a crash Friday morning with another vehicle, according to the department. Authorities said the crash happened at Southeast 17th Street and Southeast 22nd Avenue. AdAll westbound lanes were closed Friday around 8 a.m. from 25th to 22nd avenues. The crash investigation is ongoing.
15-year-old boy shot to death at Ocala apartment complex identified
OCALA, Fla. – A 15-year-old boy was shot and killed Sunday at an apartment complex in Ocala, prompting a homicide investigation, according to police. Ocala police said Monday that Chris “Chevy” Chevelon Jr. died in the shooting, which happened around noon Sunday at the Sutton Place apartments off Northeast 3rd Street near State Road 40. Rest In Peace Chris Chevelon Jr. you will be missed but never forgotten by your friends, family, teammates and coaches. Once a Knight always a Knight in life and death. “Rest In peace Chris Chevelon Jr. You will be missed but never forgotten by your friends, family, teammates and coaches.
Trooper shot at during chase in Ocala, investigation underway
OCALA, Fla. – A trooper was shot at but not injured during a chase that started in downtown Ocala Thursday afternoon, according to the Ocala Police Department. Records show the incident began when a man, later identified as David James, went into a boutique on Silver Springs Boulevard around 3 p.m. and held the business owner at gunpoint and demanded cash. The victim went back toward the boutique to find James and saw him running down Silver Springs Boulevard. Police said the victim chased after James for several blocks and fired multiple shots at him. Police said during the pursuit, someone in the passenger’s seat of the Nissan shot several rounds at the trooper’s vehicle.
Celebration of life for Ocala police chief will be viewable online
OCALA, Fla. – Late Ocala police Chief Greg Graham will be honored Friday with a celebration of life at First Baptist Church in Ocala and due to the number of people who would like to attend the event will be livestreamed online, according to Marion County Commission Chair Kathy Bryant. Graham died Sunday in a small plane crash near Dunnellon not far from the Marion County Airport. Graham’s family will be having a celebration of life at 10 a.m. Friday. The service may be viewed online here. Graham’s body was moved from the medical examiner’s office in Leesburg to an Ocala funeral home on Tuesday.
Community members, first responders salute Ocala Police chief during escort to funeral home
OCALA, Fla. – It was an emotional moment Tuesday outside the Ocala Police Headquarters as officers and bystanders saluted Chief Greg Graham during a procession. Graham’s body was moved from the medical examiner’s office in Leesburg to an Ocala funeral home. Larry Range lives in Ocala and said he knew the chief and wanted to say goodbye one last time. Other first responders, including Graham’s family members, attended Tuesday’s procession along with employees from the police department. A funeral is tentatively set for Graham on Friday.
Man walking on sidewalk fatally struck by vehicle in Ocala
OCALA, Fla. A 22-year-old man walking on the sidewalk was killed when a vehicle veered off the roadway and struck him Tuesday night, according to the Ocala Police Department. Police said William Ryan Abbott was on the sidewalk near State Road 200 and SW 35th Terrace when a vehicle that was on Interstate 75 left the roadway toward the right, traveled onto the sidewalk and grass and struck him. Abbott was taken to an area hospital as a trauma alert, where he died as a result of his injuries. They also said that while the incident is still under investigation, its not suspected that drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash. Police said his death marks the sixth pedestrian fatality in Ocala this year.
No shooting reported at Paddock Mall in Ocala, police say
OCALA, Fla. The Ocala Police Department posted on its Facebook Tuesday to let residents know that despite the rumors, there was no shooting at Paddock Mall. Police said a call came in around 12:20 p.m. about a man threatening to shoot a security guard after he was caught attempting to shoplift from multiple stores. The man fled the mall property but was located nearby and at that point, officers said they determined that he didnt have a gun. When 911 was called and someone reported that the person threatened to shoot it automatically codes the call as a shooting whether or not there was actually shots fired. Police clarified that shots were never fired and a weapon was never displayed.
Player wanted in connection with shooting at semi-professional football game in Florida
OCALA, Fla. A semi-professional football player is being sought in connection with a shooting that occurred directly after the Central Florida Bulls and the Tampa Bay Tigers faced off in Marion County, according to the Ocala Police Department. Police said the shooting happened at Ocala Regional Sportsplex on July 11 shortly before 10:30 p.m., just after the match ended. Witnesses said a member of the Tampa Bay Tigers who wore either jersey number 52 or 58 grabbed a black semiautomatic pistol from his waistband and shot toward referees and bystanders, according to a news release. Video and other evidence led detectives to identify Zachariah Doster, who wears jersey number 52 for the Tampa Bay Tigers, as a suspect in the case, records show. Hes wanted on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon upon a sports official and discharging a firearm in public.
Police: Armed man who held baby hostage says law enforcement wont 'take him alive
OCALA, Fla. A man was arrested early Sunday after he injured a woman and held their 10-month-old baby hostage, barricaded in a bedroom with access to firearms, according to the Ocala Police Department. Officers responded to a Northeast Ocala home after a woman called 911 to report that John Barrett, 31, was holding their child hostage, according to a news release. The woman told police Barrett had struck her in the face then headbutted her, causing injury before barricading himself in a bedroom with their 10-month-old child. The woman also told officers Barrett made statements saying law enforcement wouldnt take him alive, and that he had access to several firearms. Hostage negotiators were able to speak with Barrett and talk him into surrender while officers drafted an arrest warrant.
12yo, 13yo lead Ocala officers on a chase in stolen car, police say
OCALA, Fla. A 12-year-old and a 13-year-old were arrested Monday after they stole a car and led officers on a chase, according to the Ocala Police Department. Officers responded to the report of a car theft just before 6 a.m. Monday and spoke with the vehicle owner who said their Hyundai Sonata was missing. While police were interviewing the victim on scene, patrol officers spotted the stolen vehicle near NW 10th Street and NW Martin Luther King Avenue, according to a news release. The driver of the vehicle, the thirteen-year-old, has had several contacts with the Ocala Police Department and was known to arresting officers. He was arrested for auto theft, fleeing to elude marked law enforcement vehicles, and no valid drivers license.Officers said the two children were released to their guardians following the incident and the car was returned to its owner.
1 dead after shooting at bar in Ocala
OCALA, Fla. – A person died in a shooting on Saturday at the Jade Lounge in Ocala, according to the Ocala Police Department. Police said a surveillance camera video showed an altercation go down between two people, with more people getting involved as the fight escalated. Police said multiple people were injured during the shooting, and one man, 56-year-old James Wallace, died from his injuries. The shooter escaped from the bar and fled in a gold colored sedan, according to police. The shooting is still under investigation.
2-year-old accidentally shot by sibling in Ocala, police say
OCALA, Fla. – A 2-year-old child was alert and able to communicate after being accidentally shot by his or her juvenile sibling Friday afternoon, according to the Ocala Police Department. Police said the shooting happened on Northeast 21st Street around 12:45 p.m. The victim is in stable condition and was alert and able to speak on the way to an area hospital. Authorities did not release information about the age of the sibling who is believed to have accidentally fired the weapon. This is considered an isolated incident with no continued threat to the public,” officials said in a news release.