MARION COUNTY, Fla. – The search for the gunmen continues after a Marion County sheriff’s deputy and another man were shot Sunday morning in a busy shopping plaza.
Investigators with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting injured deputy Kenneth Warner and Richard Brown. Both men are now recovering.
“Who the intended target was, we don’t know. Whether it was the civilian who was hit, don’t know for sure if my deputy was a target but however we are getting more and more confident that it wasn’t my deputy, he just happened to me standing in between,” Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said.
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The sheriff said the deputy who was shot was working patrol in the area as nearby Time Nightclub was letting out. The shooting happened in the shopping plaza next door.
“As of right now, have not received a single tip from anybody in that parking lot,” Woods said. “It’s frustrating, infuriating and disappointing.”
Our News 6 team at the scene was able to count several bullet holes up close and even one that appeared to have gone right through the front door of a nearby hair business.
“We are working to obtain any video whether it be from businesses or homes that are across the street,” Woods said.
We spoke with one man who said he’s the owner of nearby Time Nightclub. He didn’t want to talk with us on camera, but he said the shooting happened in the plaza next door, not technically in his parking lot.
One of the club owners posted a message on Facebook saying in part, “Apologizing for each and everyone who had to experience the incident that took place in the gas station plaza. And said his prayers go out to the officer and family. He was not doing anything but helping keep our guests safe.”
Sheriff Woods said his deputy is ready to get back to work.
“You go through something like that and you’re still willing to put the uniform back on and get back on the streets and protect the citizens it speaks volumes to their character,” Woods said.
Investigators said Deputy Warner who was shot has been with the Marion County sheriff’s office for about two years.
If you know anything, call the sheriff’s office at 352-732-8181 or Crimeline at 800-423-8477. You may be eligible for a cash reward.
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