An 18-year-old Ocala man has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of a 19-year-old man in Marion Oaks.
On Friday, May 12, at approximately 7:20 p.m., Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence located in the 600 block of Marion Oaks Boulevard in reference to a shooting incident. Upon arrival, deputies located the 19-year-old victim, identified as Deshawn Ballestero, and he had sustained a gunshot wound, according to MCSO.
Deputies rendered first aid until Marion County Fire Rescue personnel arrived on scene, and Ballestero was then transported to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. He was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.
MCSO investigators interviewed several witnesses who provided a description of a vehicle that was observed fleeing at a high rate of speed from the location of the shooting. Within 30 minutes, deputies located a vehicle matching that description, and a traffic stop was conducted, according to the sheriff’s office.
The deputies made contact with the vehicle’s two occupants: the driver, identified as 18-year-old Ehren Evens Volcy II, and a juvenile passenger.
MCSO stated that video footage and photographs were gathered from witnesses who saw Volcy’s vehicle leaving the scene of the shooting. Volcy and the juvenile passenger were detained while deputies gathered additional evidence and information.
After conducting an investigation, an MCSO detective determined that Volcy drove to Ballestero’s home with an unidentified adult and the juvenile. Upon arrival at the residence, Volcy allegedly exited the vehicle, armed himself with a firearm, and fatally shot Ballestero while he was changing a tire outside the home, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Probable cause for Volcy’s arrest was determined based on an abundance of evidence collected, which corroborated multiple witnesses’ statements,” stated the sheriff’s office in a media release.
After being read his Miranda rights, Volcy refused to discuss the incident and requested an attorney. He was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held without bond. He is facing a felony charge for second-degree homicide (non-premeditated).
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, according to jail records.