AP Police Investigate Drive-By Shooting

City police are investigating a drive-by-style shooting that occurred shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday, in the 1300 block of Tulane Avenue.

A man reported the shooting, which did not hit him, but struck his vehicle.

There was a delay in reporting the incident, said Avon Park Police Chief Matt Doughney, in a telephone conversation.

It happened on the corner of Tulane Avenue and Tulane Drive, he said, just down the street from where the victim's car was located in the parking lot of the Highlands County Homeless Coalition.

"A preliminary investigation has revealed that at least three shots were fired from an unidentified vehicle on Tulane Avenue," said Doughney in a news release. "Three projectiles impacted the driver's side of a blue 1990 Oldsmobile which was occupied at the time of the incident."

The victim's identity is not being released at this time, Doughney said.

"Detectives are following up on several leads that have been developed," he said.

He expected the investigation could take some time.

"This is a CSI world, but we can't solve crimes in 40 minutes without commercials," he said.

Doughney was outraged by the audacity of these individuals who not only fired these shots at this victim, but also that it happened in broad daylight.

"This is not only unbelievable but unacceptable," he said. "Who ever did this better keep one eye open because we're coming!"

If anyone has information about this incident they are urged to contact Det. Jake Bratten at 863-453-6622 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.