Man arrested in Pine Hills teen shooting says 'sorry'

PINE HILLS, Fla. — Four people were arrested Friday in the shooting of a 15-year-old boy outside a Pine Hills apartment complex.

The owner of the car, Reginald Haywood, told WFTV he was "sorry," and, that he "didn't think that was going to happen," as he was taken to jail.

"Should've just went home. I'm sorry. I really apologize," said Haywood.

However, when asked who accused shooter, Katwan McDuffy, 19, was aiming for, he said "you" to Channel 9’s Karla Ray.

The boy was shot at the Seminole Ridge apartment complex near Hiawassee Road and Silver Star Road in Pine Hills.

According to authorities, the shooting was over a group of teens that was throwing eggs at cars from a nearby dollar store.

A report states that the shooting victim in the case, Tychius Gaines, and others were throwing eggs at cars when one of the vehicles followed them into the apartment complex and later opened fire.

Court records show after Haywood's car was hit, someone from inside threatened to kill the victim and his friends. Records show that about an hour later, Haywood and Gabriela Simmons picked up McDuffy and his brother, Tommy, and went back for retaliation.

Medical staff at Arnold Palmer Hospital stated that Gaines was struck in his spine, causing him to become quadriplegic.

Tommy McDuffy and Simmons were also arrested.

"You know you're going to prison right?" a reporter asked.

"I'll see you there. Muah," said Katwan McDuffy.

Haywood told Channel 9 he was going back just to fight someone after his car was hit with an egg, and had no idea it was going to escalate the way it did.

"He threw something at my car, and I just went back to the neighborhood. I was going to fight him," said Haywood.

A neighbor told Channel 9 that what happened is out of character for Haywood.

"I can't believe this would happen because he really doesn't seem like a bad kind of person," the woman said. "He was friendly with some of the other neighbors."

Investigators said a witness spotted the car and took down the tag number.

"The information given by the witness was very key information involving the vehicle, license plate number. All that was fantastic and it led us to this arrest and we're always encouraging the community.  If you see something, say something," said Jeff Williamson of the Orange County Sheriff's Office. "The persons who called 911 and gave us the information are so wonderful because now we have a gun off the street."

Channel 9 found out that McDuffy is a documented gang member who had been arrested on robbery charges.

The four were charged with attempted first-degree murder.

WFTV