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Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate shooting of Marion County man

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is looking for witnesses to the fatal shooting of Lamark Demetries Tucker Sr., who was killed Saturday as he held onto the hood of his ex-girlfriend's car.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Judge Cochran said Nikki McNeil, 33, told detectives that Tucker, 36, jumped onto her white Toyota Camry and held on as she drove for nearly 10 miles.

McNeil was dropping off the couple's three children at the mobile house they once shared when Tucker took McNeil's keys and cell phone in an attempt to keep her at the house, Cochran said.

"Apparently he had done this before, so she was prepared and she had a spare key," Cochran said. "When he was distracted, she then tried to leave in her vehicle."

Tucker jumped on the vehicle and threatened to harm McNeil as she drove away, Cochran said. McNeil told detectives she tried to stop at least twice to ask for help without success.

"He held onto the car. He was on he hood of the car. He was on the roof of the car, all the while he was threatening to harm McNeil," Cochran said.

Somewhere near the intersection of County Road 329 and Northwest Gainesville Road, Tucker appeared to reach into his pocket. McNeil retrieved a gun and fired a single bullet, Cochran said.

McNeil has not been charged with a crime, Cochran said. After completing an investigation, the Sheriff's Office detectives will submit information about the case to the State Attorney's Office.

"At that point, the decision will be made to arrest or not," Cochran said.

The Ocala Star-Banner reported Sunday that the couple had a history of domestic violence, and a Marion County judge dismissed a request for a restraining order on Thursday, two days prior to the shooting.

Cochran said he did not know the present location of the couple's three children. Anyone who witnessed Tucker holding onto McNeil's vehicle should call the Sheriff's Office at 352-732-8181.

Mina Radman wrote this story online.

Leanna is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.