OPD identifies suspect in downtown shooting

Downtown Ocala, pictured after the shooting on Oct. 7.

The Ocala Police Department has identified a suspect in the downtown shooting on Saturday that left a 16-year-old injured, authorities say.

The shooting occurred at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Salon Bliss at 104 SE First Ave. The victim was a 16-year-old boy, who police found with a gunshot wound to his upper thigh. Three friends, all also juveniles, were present with him, according to the incident report.

Anthony Reagan, 31, has been identified by police as a suspect. Reagan has previously been found guilty of grand theft, possession of methadone, sale of methadone, two counts of trafficking in morphine, two counts of burglary of a conveyance, principal petty theft, two counts of petty theft, three counts of principal to burglary of conveyance and two counts of principal to petty theft, according to the Marion County Clerk of Court database.

A witness told police that he saw a dark-colored minivan with heavily tinted windows pull into the Salon Bliss parking lot. The witness saw someone slide the minivan door open and fire four to six rounds from a firearm, according to the incident report.

After the shooting, one of the victim’s friends, age 15, who was present was arrested on charges unrelated to the shooting. Officers witnessed the boy remove a backpack, which contained over 20 grams of marijuana and a firearm, from the vehicle that the victim and friends arrived in. The boy left the scene to place the backpack in his mother’s car, then returned to the scene empty-handed, according to his arrest report.

He was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana over 20 grams and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to his arrest report.

Police are still looking for Reagan in connection to the shooting. To report information related to this case or the suspect’s whereabouts, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (352) 369-7000.