Victim shot in face near Osceola County motel; gunman on loose

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A person was shot in the face Wednesday morning near an extended-stay motel in Osceola County, deputies said.

Deputies responded to the shooting around 8 a.m. at Arlington Motel in the 4600 block of W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, also known as U.S. Highway 192.

According to investigators, the shooting happened in the parking lot of the motel and was the result of an altercation between two people.

Deputies said they found a victim who sustained a gunshot wound at the scene. They were taken to the hospital, and later arrested on Aug. 16 on charges of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and carrying a concealed firearm.

Tina Conley said the man who was shot is her friend.

“He’s a good dude. He takes care of people around here. He’s one of those people who really look out for people out here,” Conley said. “I hate to see violence in our community.”

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For hours, News 6 reporter Jerry Askin was on the scene as investigators took pictures and detectives laid down evidence markers outside the Arlington Inn Motel near Sam’s Pub and Lounge.

“This place here — we have a lot of drug activity here. It’s something that’s been an ongoing issue, so we’re trying to keep it under control,” Sheriff Marcos Lopez said.

Lopez added that the shooting appears to be an isolated incident, and the sheriff’s office is working to piece together a motive and track down the shooter.

“That’s why video cameras, we’re working all of those things as we speak, to see if we can pinpoint this and get more information on whoever is involved,” Lopez said.

At this time, the gunman is still on the loose, law enforcement officials said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the sheriff’s office immediately.

Check back for updates.

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