Two drive-by shooting suspects, ages 18 and 20, were arrested by the Belleview Police Department after an officer heard gunshots early Wednesday morning.
At around 1:30 a.m., a BPD officer was patrolling in the 6000 block of SE Robinson Road when numerous gunshots were heard nearby. The officer responded to the location of the gunshots and observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed near the intersection of SE Drew Road and SE Front Road, according to a social media post from the police department.
Another officer was patrolling nearby and also responded to the area. According to BPD, both officers located the vehicle in the 10700 block of SE 55th Avenue, and a traffic stop was conducted. The vehicle’s two occupants, identified as 20-year-old William John Harris (driver) and 18-year-old Aadin James Brewer (passenger), were detained.
The officers made contact with Harris and Brewer. They both told the officers that they had “just been shot at,” and they further advised that they had sped away from the area after the shooting.
According to BPD, the officers located a loaded .380 caliber handgun inside the vehicle’s center console, and a .380 caliber bullet was found on the driver’s side floorboard. In addition, two 9mm shell casings were discovered inside the vehicle.
During the pursuit, one of the officers had observed the vehicle briefly slow down after turning onto SE 55th Avenue. BPD stated that the officer responded to this area and located a 9mm handgun with an empty magazine.
A BPD sergeant responded to the intersection of SE Drew Road and SE Front Road, and residents in the area informed the sergeant that gunfire had woken them up. Officers collected numerous spent 9mm shell casings in the area, and they also observed two vehicles that had been struck by bullets.
In addition, two occupied homes in the area were also struck by bullets. BPD stated that no one was injured in the shooting.
Harris was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $20,000 bond. He is facing felony charges for firing a missile into a dwelling, vehicle, building, or aircraft; fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer; and using or displaying a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Brewer was also arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $31,000 bond. He is facing felony charges for discharging a firearm from a vehicle; firing a missile into a dwelling, vehicle, building, or aircraft (two counts); and using or displaying a firearm during the commission of a felony. Additionally, he is facing a misdemeanor charge for giving false ID to a law enforcement officer.
A court date has not been scheduled yet for Harris or Brewer, according to jail records.