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Mom, 5-year-old daughter wounded in Ocala drive-by shooting: Police
A 5-year-old girl and her mother were wounded in a drive-by shooting after what Ocala police say began as a fight involving children at an apartment complex and escalated when adults became involved.
OCALA, Fla. - A 5-year-old girl and her mother were wounded Monday night after someone opened fire on their vehicle while they were driving home from an apartment complex where police had earlier responded to a large disturbance, authorities said.
The shooting happened around 9 p.m. near the 1200 block of Southeast 11th Avenue. Police said the child was shot in the chest and the mother was shot in the hand. Both were taken to a hospital and are expected to recover.
Family targeted after earlier disturbance, police say
The backstory:
About an hour before the shooting, Ocala police responded to an apartment complex on 23rd Circle after receiving reports of a large disturbance involving children and adults.
Police Chief Mike Balken said the incident began with an argument involving children that escalated after adults became involved.
"This originated basically by a group of kids, 10- to 16-year-old kids that were having a typical altercation out in a local neighborhood apartment complex," Balken said. "That original incident drew some adults out and it kind of grew and grew."
Officers remained at the scene for about 40 minutes before restoring order.
According to Balken, the family who was later shot had been at the disturbance but left and stopped briefly at a neighboring apartment complex before heading home.
Investigators believe family was followed
Police said investigators believe the family's vehicle was watched and followed after leaving the apartment complex.
"We have information to believe that they were watched and followed from that location. I certainly believe one has something to do with the other," Balken said.
Investigators said another vehicle pulled up behind the family's car and opened fire, striking it multiple times.
"The car that was following them in the area opened fire and struck the vehicle multiple times, and during that melee, two of the occupants of that vehicle were struck by gunfire," Balken said.
Detectives are working to determine whether the family was specifically targeted.
Neighbors hope for quick arrest
Resident Bob Jacobs said he woke Tuesday morning to find police investigators still processing the scene.
"I thought, 'Oh my God, what's this all about?'"
Jacobs, who has lived in the neighborhood for 15 years, described the area as generally quiet but said nearby highways bring outside traffic through the community.
"I hope this comes to a conclusion so we can get back to normal life, raking leaves, and all that kind of thing that makes it a nice neighborhood."
Chief: Shooting not connected to recent homicide
Police said the drive-by shooting appears to be an isolated incident connected to the earlier disturbance and is not connected to a homicide in Ocala on Sunday or another homicide that occurred in the same area several months ago.
Police asking for the public's help
What you can do:
Anyone with information about the shooting or anyone who might have doorbell footage that could help investigators is asked to contact the police department at 352-369-7000.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Marion County by calling 352-368-7867 or online by visiting ocalacrimestoppers.com.
The Source: This story was written with information released by the Ocala Police Department and residents in Ocala's Historic District, where the shooting occurred.