Local News

Deputies make second arrest in Aug. shooting

JOE SEELIG
Published: November 10, 2012

SEBRING - A Sebring man remained in Highlands County Jail on Friday in lieu of $100,000 bond, charged in connection with a drive-by shooting in the 4000 block of Mackerel Drive on Aug. 31.

David Louisnel Edmond, 22, also known as "AKA" of 2520 Hope Circle, Sebring, was booked Thursday on charges of shooting into a dwelling (firearm), criminal mischief, $200 or more but less than $1,000), possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm from a vehicle and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Jessica Taylor Ward, 18, was arrested in September in reference to the same case, on charges of shooting a firearm into a dwelling, discharging a firearm from a vehicle and criminal mischief of $200 or more but less than $1,000.

Ward was released on $11,000 bail, on Oct. 10.

No one was injured in any of the following shooting incidents.

According to a Highlands County Sheriff's Office arrest report, at about 7:07 a.m. Aug. 31, deputies were dispatched to the Mackerel Drive address, in regard to a drive-by shooting there.

"Upon arrival it was discovered the west facing stucco surface of the residence (sustained) damage in the form of bullet strike marks as a result of gunfire," the report stated. "One of the strikes was within the entrance door of the residence. An additional bullet impact mark was discovered within the rear passenger window of the victim's (SUV)."

There was an estimated $500 in damages sustained. Six shell casings were discovered in the roadway in front of the victim's home.

Several people were at home at the time of the shooting.

One victim told investigators she had just gotten up and was about to wake up her son when she heard the three gunshots. She reported telling her sons to stay in their room and took cover in her room, according to the report.

She heard another shot, and then about three more shots, she reportedly told detectives.

One of the female victim's sons, who also was a victim, told investigators that he was with a male friend earlier about 4:30 a.m., in Sun 'n Lake, looking for a friend who needed a ride, the report stated.

They reportedly met Ward at the intersection of Viscaya Street and Capri Street, the report stated. The report alleged Edmond pointed a gun at the two male victims and shot two rounds in their direction as they ran toward their vehicle.

The second victim (the friend) reportedly thought Edmond was angry because he allegedly played a part in Edmond being arrested in April.

Ward told Edmond where the second victim lived, the report stated. They then drove to an address on Porsche Avenue, where an undisclosed individual got out and fired five shots at the residence and two shots at a car, the report stated.

Thirteen minutes later, dispatchers got a call reporting a car located in Lake Jackson Condos was damaged. This vehicle belonged to the girlfriend and roommate of one of the two male victims, the report stated.

Someone reportedly used a baseball bat and broke out the two right-side windows on her vehicle, causing $600 damage, the report stated.

Investigators indicated that a .22 caliber semi-automatic firearm may have been used and believed it was an act of retaliation because one of the victims was allegedly texting another as yet unidentified person's girlfriend.

jseelig@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5834