14 DAY TRIAL // Four people have been injured and one killed in a shooting during an unofficial crab festival in Williston, near Gainesville, Florida.
According to The Gainesville Sun, police have arrested 19-year-old Devonte Ocasio on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Ocasio has been arrested after a traffic stop in Marion County and has been detained in Levy County. There is no news on whether or not more than one gunman has been involved.
Some 10,000 people attended the event described by locals as not only a food-related celebration but as a “series of hip hop-style street parties.”
The Levy County Sheriff’s Office mentions that the festival is “unsanctioned and non-permitted,” adding that they have been trying to shut it down for years.
My Fox Orlando reports that 36-year-old Barry Barney lost his life during the celebrations.
Police were called in at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 and Barney was taken to Shands at the University Florida by helicopter. He succumbed to his wounds before arriving at the clinic.
Since ambulances couldn't get through to the other victims, they were transported to a hospital by police and witnesses.
Sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Scott Tummond suggests that the shooting was related to criminal gangs dealing in drugs.
“Our office believes this may have been motivated by some type of drug-related crimes, and we are not going to release the names of the victims for fear of retaliation,” he says.
Tummond adds that witnesses are reluctant to come forward, fearing retaliation by local crime organizations.
“We have an extensive crime scene, potentially hundreds of witnesses and we don’t have all the answers yet.
“Lots of folks saw stuff but don’t want to come forward either because they are scared or don’t want to get involved,” he clarifies.