LEESBURG, Florida—A 17-year-old boy is facing charges after police say he opened fire at a busy park earlier this month.
Theodore L. McNealy Jr. was arrested Sunday after he was identified by several witnesses following a shooting at Berry Park less than two weeks ago.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a group of black males on foot approached a group of black males in a red Chevy Impala at the entrance to Berry Park, 2121 Johns Avenue, Leesburg shortly before 4 p.m. Jan. 8. The group on foot brandished pistols and began firing at the car, the affidavit states.
The males in the vehicle returned fire and numerous gunshots were exchanged. There were several families in the park and a local organization was holding a fundraiser at the time of the shooting, LPD Lt. Scott Mack said. Witnesses identified McNealy as the person who initiated the gun fight, the affidavit states.
A warrant was issued Jan. 11 and the teenager was arrested Monday for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a minor.
This is the second teenager arrested for a shooting at the popular park in less than two months. Zamarion Z. Johnson, 17, was arrested in December for 34 felonies stemming from a shooting at the park on Nov. 28. In that incident, a physical altercation turned to gunfire and Johnson stands accused of shooting at a vehicle while dozens of people, including children, were at the park.
“The Leesburg Police Department is still actively investigating this (latest) incident and attempting to identify a possible second shooter in the incident,” Mack said. If you have information, call LPD’s Criminal Investigations Division at 352-728-9862 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
