1 killed, 9 injured in shooting at Father’s Day event in Wildwood

WILDWOOD, Fla. – A woman was killed and nine others were injured during a shooting Sunday evening at a Father’s Day event in Wildwood, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

The shooting started just before 8 p.m. at what the sheriff’s office called an annual Father’s Day event at Royal Park.

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Authorities said numerous shots were fired, resulting in 10 victims. Authorities said Cornecia Smikle, a 25-year-old woman from the Tampa Bay area, died of her injuries.

Sumter County Chief Deputy Chris Haworth said 10 people were shot and taken to area hospitals, and Smikle was pronounced dead. One victim is in the ICU, others are in stable condition and some checked out of the hospital Monday morning, Haworth said.

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said the suspected shooter was taken into custody soon after the shooting. Authorities identified the suspect as Rapheal Tyree Thomas, 22, of the Tampa Bay area.

Tyree and Smikle were acquainted, said officials, who did not elaborate on their relationship.

“This senseless incident occurred when two people from the Tampa Bay area came upon each other on County Road 235,” Haworth said. “It was absolute happenstance (that they both ended up at the same event). Our suspect brandished a firearm and started shooting at the other person.”

Harworth said deputies were able to identify and arrest the suspect with the help of bystanders who witnessed the shooting.

The Father’s Day event is hosted by the residents who live in the Royal Park area along CR 235. Haworth said it is a nonsanctioned event.

Thomas faces charges of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, eight counts of aggravated battery and one count of murder without premeditation.

An investigation is ongoing.

Wildwood is northwest of Orlando, near the intersection of Interstate 75 and Florida’s Turnpike.