Local News

Jessica Taylor Ward, 18, arrested; no one injured in drive-by

JOE SEELIG
Published: September 19, 2012

SEBRING - A Sebring woman remained in Highlands County Jail on Tuesday in lieu of $11,000 bond, charged in connection with a drive-by shooting in the 4000 block of Mackerel Drive on Aug. 31.

Jessica Taylor Ward, 18, was arrested over the weekend 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.

No one was injured.

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 victim's sons told investigators that he was with a male friend earlier about 4 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 heavily redacted report indicated someone pointed a gun at the two male victims and shot two rounds as they left.

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, believed it was an act of retaliation for an undisclosed action, and believed there was probable cause to arrest Ward, the report stated.

jseelig@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5834