Two men have been arrested in connection with a September 14 shooting that left a mother and her 5-year-old child injured after gunfire was directed at their vehicle, according to investigators.
Authorities identified the alleged shooter as 28-year-old Kentrai Patterson, who was reportedly a passenger inside the vehicle used in the shooting. Patterson is facing charges of attempted murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
The driver, 26-year-old Kedonte Davis, has also been arrested and is facing accessory charges related to the same offenses. Investigators say they are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and are working to identify and determine the involvement of a third passenger who was reportedly inside the vehicle.
Family Targeted While Driving
The shooting happened at approximately 10 p.m. on September 14, as a family of three was traveling near SE 11th Avenue and SE 12th Street.
According to investigators, the family had left the Hickory Knoll Apartments before they were followed by another vehicle. Surveillance footage reportedly captured a silver Chevrolet Impala traveling behind the family’s vehicle shortly before the shooting.
At some point during the pursuit, gunfire was directed toward the occupied vehicle. Officers later recovered multiple shell casings from the area as investigators worked to establish the exact sequence of events.
The mother suffered a gunshot wound to her hand, while her 5-year-old child sustained more serious injuries to the torso. Both victims were transported to a hospital for medical treatment and are expected to survive.
The child’s father, who was also inside the vehicle at the time, was not physically injured.
More Than 30 Shots Reportedly Fired
Investigators have been working to determine exactly how many shots were fired and how the shooting unfolded. Audio captured by neighborhood surveillance cameras reportedly indicated that more than 30 gunshots were fired during the incident.
The volume of gunfire has become an important part of the investigation as detectives attempt to determine the number of weapons involved, identify the person or persons who fired the shots, and establish the precise roles of everyone who was inside the suspect vehicle.
Investigators also collected physical evidence from the shooting scene, including shell casings, while reviewing available surveillance footage from the surrounding area.
Suspect Vehicle Located
The investigation made significant progress two days after the shooting when detectives located a 2014 Chevrolet Impala believed to be connected to the case.
The vehicle was registered to Kedonte Davis, investigators said. Davis was subsequently detained at a business on SW 10th Street.
During questioning, Davis reportedly acknowledged that he had been present at the time of the shooting. Detectives continued working to corroborate his account with surveillance footage and other evidence gathered during the investigation.
Patterson Arrested in Citra
Investigators later identified Patterson as another person who was allegedly inside the Impala during the shooting.
Surveillance footage reportedly helped detectives establish Patterson’s presence in the vehicle. He was eventually located and arrested in Citra.
Authorities say the evidence collected during the investigation, including surveillance information and other investigative leads, helped connect Patterson to the incident.
Both Patterson and Davis were transported to the Marion County Jail, where they were being held on the charges stemming from the shooting.
Investigation Remains Active
Although two arrests have been made, investigators say the case remains active. Detectives are still examining the involvement of the third passenger and are working to determine the circumstances and possible motive behind the shooting.
The use of License Plate Reader (LPR) technology also provided investigators with important information that helped connect the Chevrolet Impala to the incident and advance the investigation.
Authorities have not indicated that the investigation is complete, and additional arrests or charges could follow as detectives continue reviewing evidence.
Anyone who may have witnessed the shooting, observed the suspect vehicle, or has information that could help investigators is encouraged to contact the Ocala Police Department.
Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Marion County.
The mother and her young child are expected to survive, but the shooting remains under investigation as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack and identify everyone who may have been involved.
