Marion County sheriff’s Major Crimes detectives have arrested a second suspect in the October murder of a man in a drive-by-style shooting.
Calvin Denard Epps, 20, of Ocala, was taken into custody Thursday night and charged with principle to second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the death of 18-year-old June Hugo. Demetrius Antonio Wright, 19, was arrested Wednesday and charged with second-degree murder in the case.
On Oct. 11, sheriff’s deputies were called to the Circle K gas station, at 5986 W Hwy. 40, in reference to a man being shot. When they arrived, they found Hugo in the backseat of a vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital, a sheriff’s office report states.
It was soon discovered that the shooting occurred in the Ocala Ridge neighborhood, near the intersection of NW 6th Place and NW 58th Avenue. Witnesses indicated the dispute may have started as war of words on social media, the report says.
During their investigation, detectives developed Epps and Wright as the prime suspects in the shooting. Electronic data confirmed that both were in the immediate area where and when the murder occurred. And witnesses came forward and told detectives that Epps was driving a red Ford Mustang, with Wright as his passenger and the person who allegedly shot at the Nissan Versa Hugo was in, the report says.
The investigation revealed that Hugo had been sitting in the back seat of the Nissan when the shooting took place. He suffered fatal wounds to the left side of his body, head, torso and left hand, the report says.
Witnesses revealed that as a result of the social media dispute, a fight was supposed to take place at the Circle K. One witness told detectives that he received a threatening phone call after the shooting telling him that “the bullets were meant for him,” the report says.
Epps is being held at the Marion County Jail on the murder charge and his bond was revoked on previous charges of carrying a concealed weapon and marijuana possession not more than 20 grams. He is being held with no bond and no court date has been set for him to answer to the charge.
Wright is being held at jail on $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 26 at 9 a.m. to answer to the murder charge.