Teen, man critically injured in hail of gunfire from high-powered rifle at Eatonville motel, police say

EATONVILLE, Fla. – A 17-year-old boy and a 30-year-old man were shot and critically wounded in a hail of gunfire early Thursday outside an Eatonville motel, police said.

The shooting was reported around 4:40 a.m. at Eatonville Hometown Suites on East Kennedy Boulevard near West Street, not far from the Eatonville Police Department.

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Eatonville police said a dark colored newer model Kia, Hyundai or Infiniti with dark tint drove up to the motel and a man got out of the car and fired 20 to 25 shots, striking the man and teen, who were among a group of people. The shooter then sped away, police said.

“A black male ... got out of the vehicle with a high-powered rifle or AK-47 and started shooting at both the victims,” Eatonville police Detective Brodrick Lampkin said.

Both victims were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where they underwent surgery and were in critical but stable condition, police said.

The man, believed to be the intended target, was shot three times, police said.

The teen, who came out of the motel and ran away when the shots were fired, was struck in the leg, police said.

“He was just in the wrong place,” Lampkin said. “(He) heard the gunshots and took off and he got struck by one of the bullets.”

The shooting happened across the street from the police department and officers responded quickly, providing aid the shooting victims.

Police said they have identified a person of interest in the case and are looking for him.

Eatonville police said the victim was also shot in December during an incident at Spatz, a bar in Winter Park.

“One of the witnesses stated that they personally know the (30-year-old) victim and that he was shot a few weeks or few months ago in Winter Park,” Lampkin said.

Police in Winter Garden also say the Eatonville shooting was likely in retaliation for another shooting that occurred Wednesday during which three teenagers were shot.

It’s suspected the series of gun violence is gang related.

Eatonville police said some of the incident was captured on a surveillance camera, and investigators are working to review the video.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call police or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.

Police described the area as a high-crime location. Earlier this month, a woman was stabbed to death at the same hotel.