Ocala man found shot in his front yard; suspect held without bond for murder charge

Man held without bond after deadly shooting in Ocala

A 29-year-old man remains behind bars after police say he shot and killed a 64-year-old man in his front yard in what authorities are calling a random, execution-style killing.

OCALA, Fla. - Described as an apparent "random act of violence," the Ocala Police Department arrested a suspect in connection to the shooting death of a 64-year-old man in a Marion County neighborhood. 

Isaac Ezekiel Toye, 29, is a suspect in a shooting death of a 65-year-old man in Ocala.

What we know:

Isaac Ezekiel Toye, 29, was arrested in connection to the death of Harold Whitt Harper, 64, who was found shot in the back of the head while in the front yard of his Ocala home. Harper was in his front yard gardening while he was recovering from a previous surgery, Harper's son-in-law told detectives. 

Police said they were sent to an area near Southeast Third Street in Ocala around 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 7 for a reported shooting. Officers found Harper with gunshot wounds, who later died. 

Shortly before the shooting, Ocala Police had also received a call about a man, dressed in all black, walking toward a man in his car while he was pulling out of the driveway. The driver told police that man – who the driver said appeared to be preparing to shoot a gun – told him to stop, but the driver continued driving. 

After the shooting, police found Toye two blocks away from Harper walking between bushes, an Ocala Police arrest affidavit said. He had a gun in his front jacket pocket, police said. 

Ocala Police said witness statements and evidence placed Toye at both scenes. A detective said a man matching Toye's description was seen in the doorbell camera footage walking away from the area Harper was sitting. 

"There is no indication that this was a targeted attack or that there are additional suspects," Ocala Police said in a released statement. 

What they're saying:

Daniel Earnest, who lives near where the shooting took place, called the situation scary. 

"Definitely was scary and just, you know, with it being in the news now as a complete random act of violence, was a little terrifying," he said.

Sean Fulwood had the same sentiment. He said a lot of his neighbors were talking about wanting to carry their guns around after the shooting, just to feel safer.

"There are certain places and certain areas of communities where you would think, you know, we don't have to worry about things like that. And that's not true," Fulwood said. 

What's next:

Toye was charged with murder and one count of aggravated assault.

A Marion County judge ruled that Toye be held without bond in the Marion County Jail. 

His next court date is set for Feb. 10 at 9 a.m.