A 28-year-old Ocala man was arrested in connection with a shooting that occurred near the 5200 block of SE 31st Street in Ocala on Wednesday, February 2.
On February 2, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received several calls for service that reported a shooting in the Whispering Sands community. When deputies arrived on scene, they discovered that a male victim had been shot multiple times with non-life-threatening injuries.
Shell casings were found in front of the residence and blood was inside the victim’s home leading from the doorway to the living room.
Footage of the shooting incident was captured by a camera that was facing the roadway. An MCSO corporal watched the video footage and observed the victim as he pushed a young child in a stroller while other small children played nearby.
A vehicle approached the victim on SE 31st Street and slowed down. A hand reached through the rear passenger window, which was rolled down, and the hand was holding a gun.
The victim grabbed the arm of the shooter as multiple shots were fired. The children were unharmed.
The victim retreated behind a car, grabbed the child from the stroller, and ran toward the driveway. The shooter exited the vehicle, fired three more shots at the victim, and re-entered the vehicle. As the vehicle fled the scene, the video footage ended.
The victim and several witnesses identified Searron Nathaniel Brooks III as the shooter.
On Thursday, February 3, Brooks was arrested following a traffic stop in the 1400 block of NW 10th Street in Ocala. He refused to speak with investigators and requested an attorney.
Brooks was transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held without bond. He is facing felony charges for attempted homicide, four counts of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
A court date has been scheduled for Brooks on Tuesday, March 8 at 9 a.m., according to jail records.
The corporal visited the victim in the hospital on February 3 and conducted an interview. The victim again identified Brooks as the shooter, and he recalled seeing a man with short dreadlocks in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. He did not know the driver’s full name but stated that he would recognize the man’s face.
A photo lineup was presented to the victim the following day and he identified Patrick Rodriguez Emmanuel as “the person who drove the car that shot me.”
A warrant was issued for Emmanuel’s arrest. On Tuesday, February 22 at around 11 a.m., he was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and he was later released on $40,000 bond. He is facing felony charges for attempted homicide and aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony.
A court date has not been scheduled yet for Emmanuel, according to jail records.