News-Sun staff
LAKE PLACID - The Highlands County Sheriff's Office has issued an arrest warrant for Marquay Rockmore, a 16-year-old, on charges of tampering with evidence in relation to a shooting in Highway Park that left one victim with serious injuries.
According to reports, at approximately 12:30 a.m. Monday, a call was received by Highlands County Sheriff's Office Central Dispatch that a subject was at Florida Hospital Lake Placid being treated for a gunshot wound. The subject was stabilized and subsequently was to be transferred to another medical center for further treatment. Due to weather conditions, the medical helicopter was not able to fly.
HCSO Public Information Officer Nell Hayes said that once the ambulance crew arrived to transport the seriously injured victim, they knew that time was of the essence. EMS staff requested escort assistance and Central Dispatch was able to contact all law enforcement agencies enroute to their destination. All intersections were cleared by other law enforcement personnel who aided EMS in the safe and timely delivery of the victim to a level 3 trauma center.
Hayes said the victim has since received extensive medical treatment and is expected to survive the incident, although he is still unable to speak with detectives.
Acting on information gathered at the hospital, deputies and detectives responded to the area of Highway Park Liquors, 101 Crestmore St., in an attempt to gather details about the shooting and secure any possible evidence at the scene. Hayes said it was learned that several juveniles were in the area that evening and left in a vehicle.
The investigation continues as to the circumstances of the shooting. Deputies have recovered two firearms believed to be involved with the incident.
The Highlands County Sheriff's Office is seeking information on the whereabouts of Marquay Rockmore. He is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes, approximately 6-foot tall, weighing approximately 135 pounds.
The investigation is ongoing at this time. Anyone with information on the location of Rockmore, or with any other information on this case is requested to contact the Highlands County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Unit and Detective Hank Smith at 402-7250. Anyone with information who wants to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS(8477), ors on the Internet at www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Sunday, January 20, 2013 - www.newssun.com/012013-investigate-shooting