Local News
LP shooting victim in fair condition
JOE SEELIG
Published: September 14, 2012
LAKE PLACID A 31-year-old man was recovering Friday at Tampa General Hospital and was listed in fair condition, according to Ellen Fiss, hospital spokeswoman.Published: September 14, 2012
The Highlands County Sheriff's Office alleges the man's uncle, James Wentford Ellis, 56, of Lake Placid, shot him with a shotgun during an argument at Ellis' home.
Ellis has been charged with attempted homicide and was being held at the Highlands County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bond Friday.
The victim reportedly got in an argument Wednesday over getting his father out of jail, after a vehicle they were riding in to go bond the father out had broken down.
Ellis reportedly warned his nephew if he didn't stop that he'd get his gun and shoot him, which Sheriff's investigators say is what happened next.
A family friend told Highlands Today the shooting victim, whose name has been withheld, underwent more than 8 hours in surgery to repair damage to his arm and abdomen and to remove buckshot.
He's very strong, the family friend said.
The friend said the man's mother wanted to thank the staff at Tampa General Hospital for saving her son's life.
jseelig@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5834