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Homeless man shot while sleeping outside Orange County store, deputies say

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A homeless man asleep outside a store in the 5500 block of Old Cheney Highway was startled awake early Tuesday by the sound of a gunshot, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.

Once awake, he realized he had been hit by a bullet, deputies said.

Investigators and emergency personnel received the shooting report at about 3:13 a.m. and responded to the scene.

The man, who was not identified, was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition.

Channel 9 spoke with the victim's niece, Ruth Rogers, who said her uncle chooses to sleep outside the grocery store, and has been for years.

"He chooses to do that. He's been homeless for like 10 years," said Rogers. "He looks like Santa Clause, and I woke up from the police banging on my door, saying that he's been shot."

A friend of the victim, Jeffrey Smith, said he was sleeping above the grocery store and he heard a gunshot, then he heard moaning coming from the victim.

"I came out and I saw blood and that's when I called 911," Smith said.

Rogers said she is "shocked" and just wants answers.

"I just want to know who shot him. That's all," Rogers said.