80 evidence markers litter scene after man shot, killed in Taft neighborhood

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A man was shot and killed Wednesday night in an Orange County neighborhood, according to the sheriff’s office.

The fatal shooting happened around 9:45 p.m. in the the 9600 block of 8th Avenue, blocks from Sally Ride Elementary School.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called to the scene after witnesses reported hearing at least a dozen gunshots.

A man in his 30s was found suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, deputies said.

The victim was identified Thursday afternoon as Juan Luis Cintron Garcia, 39, according to the sheriff’s office. Though still in the early stages of its investigation, the sheriff’s office said Thursday that detectives believe the shooting was not a random act and that Cintron Garcia was targeted. No suspect or motive information was yet available, however.

About 80 evidence markers were counted outside a house in the neighborhood, with crime tape posted nearby.

No other details about the shooting have been released.

Deanna Kelley, who lives nearby, said the shooting didn’t seem to stop.

“As soon as I opened my back door is when I heard it and it was loud and I yelled, ‘Stop with the fireworks!’ but we didn’t see any fireworks go up, and it was like, ‘Bam, bam, bam, bam!’ and it would not stop,” she said.

Another neighbor said shootings are not common in the neighborhood.

“They don’t have stuff like this happen often at all in the area. (It’s) rare, rare, rare,” said Lesli Alley, who lives near the shooting scene.

Check back for updates.

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