Suspects in Orange Co. apartment shooting could walk free, deputies say

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — WFTV recorded video of one of three suspects as he backed out of an apartment unit in front of heavily armed deputies during a standoff in Orange County Wednesday just before 1 p.m.

A burglary in the Tymber Skan on the Lake condo community Tuesday night is believed to have caused a shooting, deputies said.

The deputies were looking for a suspect who opened fire in the middle of the day in the middle of the complex parking lot.

Neighbors said they heard several shots.

A bullet struck a 24-year-old man, shattering the bone in the upper part of his leg.

"It's always dangerous if someone opens fire in a location where there's so many people, and a lot of people live in this complex," said Deputy Jeff Williamson of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies had information that the shooter may have been holed up inside the one of the units.

As people gathered around the crime tape, the armed deputies called for anyone inside to come out.

After about an hour, a man walked backward out of the building.

Deputies detained two other men, believed to be involved, in another part of the complex.

Deputies said the incident appears to be an attempt at vigilante justice by the gunman -- shooting the man he believed broke into his condo last night.

"It's crazy. It really is crazy," said a resident, who did not want to be identified.

The victim initially wanted to press charges but has since changed his mind.

Deputies said with no witness, it likely means they'll have to let the suspects go.

WFTV