Man faces charges related to shots fired at Ocala pub

[Photo courtesy Ocala Police Department]

A 35-year-old Ocala man who faces multiple weapon and assault charges was also injured in an incident at O’ Malley’s Alley Irish Pub the evening of Aug. 22.

Juan Francisco de Jesus Tejada-Castillo was arrested at 11:19 p.m. after he allegedly fired multiple shots from a 9mm handgun during a melee in an outside area in the rear of the pub, in which about 30 patrons where located, according to an Ocala Police Department arrest affidavit.

Tejada-Castillo was arrested at the pub, which is located at 24 S. Magnolia Ave.

The affidavit states Tejada-Castillo was asked to leave by members of the pub’s security staff and a confrontation ensued. Security staff members were escorting Tejada-Castillo off the premises when he allegedly produced a handgun and fired, according to one witness, up to four shots while being escorted and up to four additional shots as security staff members and patrons wrestled the firearm away from Tejada-Castillo on the ground, the affidavit states.

A video referenced in the affidavit reportedly shows Tejada-Castillo grab a woman by the wrist and then he is asked to leave by security. The video shows a group involved the melee and the sound of three shots as the group proceeds to a stage area and the sounds of another shot when the group is at the stage.

A witness stated that Tejada-Castillo pointed the handgun at his face but the witness “grabbed the slide” of the firearm, the affidavit indicates.

Tejada-Castillo was transported to a local hospital on “trauma alert” level with injuries caused either by the shots he fired or during the melee with security staff and patrons.

The affidavit indicates Tejada-Castillo was “unconscious” when police arrived at the pub and was unconscious at the hospital and could not be interviewed by investigators at that time.

Tejada-Castillo was charged with firing “deadly missiles” in the bar area, five counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, armed trespass and improper exhibition of a firearm and was being held without bond.

George Carrasco, owner of O’Malley’s Alley, said in a phone interview that the shooting was the first episode of its type since the pub opened in 1997.

“We started using a magnetic wand (at the entrance for gun detection) the day after the incident,” he said.

Carrasco said he felt “truly blessed” because of the “heroic and fast actions of his staff and patrons,” which, he said, led to the shooter being subdued and unarmed before someone other than the shooter, who authorities said suffered a broken nose, was injured.