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.
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.
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Source: fox35orlando
