OCALA, Florida — A mother and her 5-year-old child are recovering in a local hospital after being shot while driving home on Monday evening, September 14, 2026. As reported by regional Central Florida news outlets, including WESH 2 News, police believe the family was followed and targeted following an earlier neighborhood dispute in Marion County.
Apartment Altercation and Subsequent Ambush
According to statements delivered during a press conference by Ocala Police Department Chief Mike Balken, emergency dispatchers initially received reports around 8:00 p.m. regarding a large outdoor disturbance at an apartment complex in the 500 block of Northeast 23rd Circle. Chief Balken noted that what began as a dispute among juveniles aged 10 to 16 escalated when adults became involved. Responding officers restored order and cleared the scene after approximately 40 minutes.
Roughly an hour later, a family of three who had been present during the initial disturbance departed a nearby complex to head home. Authorities state that a vehicle followed the family’s car to the area of Southeast 11th Avenue, where occupants in the pursuing vehicle opened fire, striking the family’s car multiple times.
Victim Conditions and Active Search for Suspects
The gunfire injured the mother in the hand, while her 5-year-old child sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. The child’s father was uninjured and immediately drove the family to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Chief Balken confirmed that while the child was initially in critical condition, both victims are now expected to survive.
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