Updated Today:
Ocala police arrested a suspect allegedly involved in the November 19th incident in which a fleeing suspect shot at a Florida Highway Patrol trooper in downtown Ocala.
The passenger in this shooting incident has been identified as Fashawn Micquiel King, 20 of Ocala. King was arrested by the Ocala Police Department on an outstanding warrant on Saturday November 21, 2020. King is currently in the Marion County Jail. FHP
Investigators have charged King with the following charges: Attempted 2nd degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of a Firearm while engaged in a Criminal Offense and Discharging a Firearm in Public From a Vehicle.
Updated: November 20th
A traffic stop this morning at 2:31 am by an alert Gainesville police officer in east Alachua County has resulted in the arrest of David Le-Otis James, 35 of Starke.
James was identified as the driver of the 2020 Nissan, involved in an earlier shooting incident in Marion County on Thursday. James was booked into the Alachua County Jail, on an outstanding warrant issued in Marion County.
In addition to charges filed by the Ocala Police Department, FHP Investigators have added charges of Aggravated Fleeing & Eluding and Principle to Attempted Murder against James. Information about the identity and location of the passenger involved is still ongoing.
The astute observation of the vehicle sought, and subsequent arrest of James made by the Gainesville police officer was a tremendous help in this ongoing investigation.
From November 19th
Ocala police are looking for two suspects who fired shots at a Florida Highway Patrol trooper while in pursuit of their fleeing vehicle.
According to a statement by the FHP, sometime after 3:00 pm on Thursday an FHP Trooper was notified of a shooting which had just occurred in downtown Ocala. As the suspect vehicle exited a parking garage the Trooper commanded the driver to exit his vehicle. The driver ignored the Troopers directions and fled the scene at a high rate of speed.
The Trooper began a pursuit of the vehicle described as a silver colored Nissan sedan. During the pursuit a passenger of the fleeing vehicle shot multiple times at the Trooper and his patrol car. The Trooper lost contact with the vehicle which is still at large.
The Trooper was not struck or injured during this encounter. The initial shooting incident is being investigated by the Ocala Police Department.