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Highlands Today

LPPD Seek Suspect In Shooting Case

Courtesy photo

Eric Lavato Navarro, 25

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: December 12, 2008

LAKE PLACID - The Lake Placid Police Department is seeking a suspect in an attempted murder case and asking for the public's help in locating him.

Eric Lavato Navarro, 25, is listed as 5-foot, 6 inches and 130 pounds. Detective James Fansler said the department is uncertain whether the suspect is even still in Highlands County.

"We were told that he may be up in Polk County," he said.

On Nov. 2, officers responded to a shooting at the JFK Trailer Park in Lake Placid. The victim, Abraham Catalan Hernandez, 22, of 418 S. Main Ave., Lake Placid, was reportedly shot with a 12-gauge shotgun.

His wife heard him moaning in pain on the front patio of the couple's home. He was found bleeding and holding his back.

The victim's initial statements indicated that another suspect, Kevin David Brown, 20, was the person who shot him. Brown was arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Over the course of the investigation, however, Hernandez's statement changed and police began looking at another person of interest. Assistant State Attorney Steve Houchin said the charges against Brown were dropped.

Fansler said Navarro was a second suspect in the shooting and has been elevated to the prime suspect following Hernandez's statements.

"Mr. Hernandez confirmed that this was the guy (Navarro) that shot him," Fansler said.

Anyone with information can contact Fansler at the Lake Placid Police Department at 863-699-3757 or, if you wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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