News and Public Media for North Central Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Two Children Injured in Drive by Shooting in Marion County

Bullet holes are visible in the side of the house as police investigate the incident that injured two children.
Bullet holes are visible in the side of the house as police investigate the incident that injured two children.

<i>Ciera Richardson, a 26-year-old who lives nearby to the location of the second shooting, said that incidents like the drive-by shooting were not unusual in the neighborhood. (Andres Leiva/ WUFT News)</i>

<i>Two drive-by shootings occurred within short distance of each other in Ocala, Fla early this morning, Friday, September 12, 2014 . The first residence that was hit this morning at 1910 NW 26th Ave., was also shot the previous night. At least ten bullet holes were on the east side of the house. Two children were injured in the shooting. They are currently in stable condition at Shand’s Hospital. (Andres Leiva/ WUFT News)</i>

<i>Two drive-by shootings occurred within short distance of each other in Ocala, Fla early this morning, Friday, September 12, 2014 . The first residence that was hit this morning at 1910 NW 26th Ave., was also shot the previous night. At least ten bullet holes were on the east side of the house. Two children were injured in the shooting. They are currently in stable condition at Shand’s Hospital. (Andres Leiva/ WUFT News)</i>

<i>Ciera Richardson, a 26-year-old who lives nearby to the location of the second shooting, said that incidents like the drive-by shooting were not unusual in the neighborhood. (Andres Leiva/ WUFT News)</i>

UPDATE, 1:40 p.m.:

 Scroble said bullets penetrated the home and wounded one child in the buttocks and the other in the lower abdomen.

Investigators are still on the scene but had no comment at this time.

Ocala resident Ciera Richardson said shootings like this have become more frequent in the area. She said it isn't unusual to hear gun shots in the neighborhood.

"I don't want to say every week, but its been happening often," she said.

Many neighbors did not want to comment on the shootings in fear they would be putting themselves in danger.

Original Post: Two children, ages 4 and 8, were injured in a drive-by shooting in Marion County on Friday around 2:10 a.m. at 1111 NW 3rd St in Ocala.

According to the Ocala Police Department, Ocala Fire Rescue responded and transported the injured children to the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital for treatment. Both children are currently in stable condition.

Officers also found multiple bullet holes in the residence's exterior.

A previous call was received by OPD at around 1:47 a.m. about another drive-by shooting at 1910 NW 26th Ave.

Officers found bullet holes to the home and a car parked in front of the residence. No one was injured.

OPD had worked a previous call involving two drive-by shootings at the same location the night before. Only one of these incidents resulted in an injury.

It is still unknown as to whether these two shootings are related to each other.

Detectives are actively working on the cases.

OPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Angy Scroble said further information will be released as it becomes available.

Silvia Rueda contributed reporting.
Reference: brain injury attorney California.

Allison is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.