Deputies searching for man wanted in Brooksville shooting
BROOKSVILLE — A squabble between two men over a bicycle led to a shooting in south Brooksville on Tuesday afternoon, and the search is on for the suspected shooter.
One man was flown to an area hospital after the incident, which happened around 3:10 p.m., the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said.
Witnesses Mike and Mary Harris, who are married, said a fight began when a man deputies have identified as Lenard White Jr., 28, began handling a bike that didn’t belong to him. The Harrises said the 44-year-old shooting victim prevented White from taking the bike.
“They argued and started tussling and fighting,” Mike Harris said. “Then, the one man started choking the other until the other guy tapped out.”
Mary Harris said the men fought in the middle of Twigg Street. She said no punches were thrown.
“He had him wrapped up,” she said of the shooting victim. “He had his arms and legs around him like an octopus.”
“He had more in his bag of tricks,” Mike Harris said.
After the fight was broken up, White retrieved a gun from his car and started chasing the other man around the back of a house at the southwest corner of Twigg and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, the Harrises said.
They said they heard several shots. The victim was struck at least once, they said.
“He was alert when the police got here,” Mary Harris said.
Mike Harris said he talked to the victim to keep him awake.
“He was bleeding out of the jaw,” he said.
The victim was treated and released from a local hospital, deputies said.
A warrant has been issued for White on charges of attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Cole Brinson at (352) 754-6830.
(352) 544-5283
