A 19-year-old man has been arrested by Ocala police in connection with the fatal shooting that claimed the lives of two individuals and injured several others on New Year’s Day.
Ocala Police Department officers arrested Lebron Mondale Jones on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. He was transported to Marion County Jail where he is being held without bond.
Jones is being charged with second-degree murder with a firearm (two counts) and attempted second-degree murder with a firearm (four counts). A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.
On January 1, 2023, approximately 100 individuals were gathered near the 1600 block of SW 5th Street in Ocala. At around 4:30 a.m., the crowd was ambushed by a “small group of people” with firearms. The armed suspects proceeded to shoot indiscriminately at the crowd, striking six individuals, according to OPD.
Two of the victims, 30-year-old D’amonta Harris and 24-year-old Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, sustained fatal gunshot wounds and were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Four additional victims sustained non-fatal gunshot wounds and were transported to an undisclosed location for medical treatment. They were all listed in stable condition.
According to a media release from OPD, detectives launched an investigation into the shooting and eventually identified Jones as one of the gunmen who ambushed the party and fired shots into the crowd.
Additional suspects are still being sought by police. “This case remains an active investigation,” stated OPD.
If anyone has information that could help detectives in this investigation, the Ocala Police Department asks that you call the Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP (7867), or click here to submit an online tip.