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Police: Man killed, another critically injured in Ocala shooting

OCALA, Fla. — One 18-year-old man was killed and another was critically injured Tuesday evening in a shooting, the Ocala Police Department said.

Jeffrey Scott and Marcus Cooper were shot shortly after 9 p.m. on Northwest First Avenue near Northwest 21st Place, police spokeswoman Meghan Shay said.

The two 18-year-olds were taken to a hospital, where Scott died early Wednesday and where Cooper continues to be treated for critical injuries, Shay said.

Police said the shooting took place after a man was badly beaten during an off-campus fight following a sporting event at Vanguard High School.

"The victim’s two friends ... went to his residence to look for him," Shay said. "When they arrived, three males in a white Mazda blocked them in near the entrance of Pavilion Oaks."

Investigators said the men in the Mazda exited the vehicle and a second fight ended in gunfire.

"We will not be releasing names of the vehicle occupants who fired the weapons or how many shots were fired at this time," Shay said.

Ocala resident Roderick Ginlock said it was tragic that someone lost their life like this.

"This is kind of devastating, you know, because these young kids need to stop with these guns," he said. "It don't make sense. I was just a senseless killing."

No one has been arrested in connection with the shooting, which remains under investigation.

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