Six people shot early New Year’s Day

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated.

Ocala Police Department (OPD) detectives are investigating what they are referring to as a double homicide, which occurred early on New Year’s Day in southwest Ocala.

D’amonta Harris, 30, and Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, died as the result of a shooting incident, according to a press release from OPD Public Information Officer Jeff Walczak. Four people who were not identified were wounded and are in stable condition and being treated at an undisclosed location, according to the release.

OPD responded to a 911 call at 4:26 a.m. Sunday and barricades were set up in the area, Walczak stated in a text message. Ocala Fire Rescue, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded to the scene.

The shootings occurred as perhaps 100 people—according to police estimates—congregated as part of what nearby residents called a block party in the 1600 block of Southwest 5th Street. The area is just north of State Road 200 (Southwest 10th Street) and west of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.

Mid-morning on Sunday, a resident who has lived in the area since 1955 said she “knew the (block party participants) were out there,” perhaps several hundred of them, she said, and added, “we don’t like it.” She said she heard men talking and then “bam, bam, bam,” the sound of about 10 gunshots in a row. She said it “wasn’t fireworks” and “scared me.”

One resident described the partygoers, perhaps as many as 400, as a mix of youth and adults.

Another said prior gatherings at the location, such as on the 4th of July, caused no problem.

A couple who just moved to Ocala from New York said they were not aware of the incident when it happened.

One resident said she reached out to the new neighbors.

“I apologized to them for going through this on their first night here,” she said.

Walczak is asking the community for information.

“This tragic event has left many devastated and mourning. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this terrible act. If anyone knows anything that might help law enforcement in their investigation, please come forward,” Walzak stated. “Please call OPD at 352-369-7000 or call Crime Stoppers of Marion County anonymously by dialing **TIPS. If you use Crime Stoppers and your tip leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward.”