OCALA, FL (352today.com) – On Jan. 7, at approximately 3:34 p.m., the Ocala Police Department received a 911 call about a suspicious person in the 900 block of SE 3rd Street. The caller reported that as he was pulling out of his driveway, he was approached by a black male dressed in all black walking towards his house. The subject motioned for the caller to stop, but the caller continued driving and observed the man appear to rack the slide of what he believed to be a pistol.
Officers were immediately dispatched to the area. Shortly after, a second 911 call was received regarding a shooting about a block east of the first location. The shooting involved a victim who had been shot. Upon hearing this, the first officer on the scene located a man matching the description from the initial call. This man, identified as 29-year-old Isaac Ezekiel Toye, was found walking two blocks south of the victim on SE 11th Avenue. He was detained and found to be in possession of a pistol.
Other responding officers located the shooting victim, 64-year-old Harold Whitt Harper, in the front yard of his residence. Unfortunately, Mr. Harper had been shot and succumbed to his injuries. Witness statements and evidence place the suspect at the scene of both incidents. Based on our investigation, we have developed probable cause to charge the suspect with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of homicide.
This horrific event appears to be a random act of violence. There is no indication that this was a targeted attack or that there are additional suspects. We are confident there is no further danger to the community.
The OPD’s hearts go out to the Harper family during this difficult time. The Ocala Police Department wants to thank the residents of the neighborhood who came forward with information, helping us solve this case quickly.