Ocala Police have identified the victim of a domestic violence shooting that happened late Wednesday night.
Katherine Sarahi Ovalle, 21, was found lying in the middle of the street near an abandoned car in the 3300 block of SE 4th Street when officers arrived to investigate a call of shots fired. An EMS crew loaded her into an ambulance, but a few minutes later they alerted officers that she had died.
Yusuf Melendez, of Ocala, was arrested and charged with second degree murder. He was located near the intersection of SE Fort King Street and SE 36th Avenue., an Ocala Police report says. Melendez, 21, was sweating, out of breath and had wet blood on his pants and shoes, the report states.
Witnesses positively identified Melendez as being in the area during the time of the shooting and a gun was recovered nearby, the report says.
During a subsequent interview, Melendez told police that said he was walking from his house on 4th Street to his cousin’s house when he heard gunshots and ran away, the report says. He also claimed that he hadn’t changed his clothes in several days and the blood on his pants and shoes came from a week-old cut to his hand.
Upon further questioning, Melendez requested legal representation and the interview ended. Authorities believe he and Ovalle were involved in a relationship.
Melendez is being held without bond at the Marion County Jail.