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Highlands Today

Youth Shot After AP Graduation Dance

POLICE: SUSPECT IN CUSTODY

Antwan L. Jones, 18

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By Joe  Seelig | Highlands Today

Published: June 2, 2008

AVON PARK — An 18-year-old Sebring youth remained in Florida Hospital in stable condition Monday, and a shooting suspect was in custody, after a young man was shot Saturday morning in his abdomen.
The shooting occurred near the corner of East Hal McRae Boulevard and South Delaney Avenue, in Avon Park, according to police.

Dwight Hankerson, 18, of Sebring was shot early Saturday morning about an hour after the Friday night graduation dance ended at the former Hopewell Academy.

Antwan L. Jones, 18, of 1025 Marble Ave., Avon Park, was already in police custody Monday afternoon, to be charged with attempted second-degree murder, according to Avon Park Police Cmdr. Michael J. Rowan.

"The gun was recovered at his girlfriend's house," Rowan said.

It was about 1:11 a.m. Saturday when police received a 911 call about shots being fired in the area of East Hal McRae and South Delaney, Rowan said.

Minutes later, police investigators were called to Florida Hospital's emergency room at about 1:19 a.m. Saturday, in response to notification it was working on a gunshot victim.

The violence erupted as a result of an altercation that had taken place about two weeks before outside of the Avon Park city limits, Rowan said.

Both Hankerson and Jones showed up at the dance.

"There was some indirect contact through friends that there were still some tensions going on," Rowan said.
When the dance let out after midnight the victim and Jones reportedly found themselves standing in the same crowd at East Hal McRae and South Delaney, Rowan said.

"We're not sure of the size of the crowd or how far apart they were," Rowan said. "It is undetermined how many shots were fired. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen with an entrance wound and an exit wound."

"This was old fashioned gumshoe police work," said Police Chief Matthew Doughney. "It's a tribute to the Avon Park Police Department that they got the gun back. This was great police work with him in custody not even 72 hours after the shooting."

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