An 80-year-old man was shot Monday during an attempted carjacking outside a Leesburg Save-a-Lot, police said.
Desmond Smith, 31, was arrested in connection with the shooting of 80-year-old Richard Martens.
The shooting happened at about 9:30 a.m. at the Southside Plaza on 14th Street, police said.
Police said Smith tried to carjack Martens, and when the victim didn't cooperate, the gunman began shooting.
LEESBURG, Fla. — TRENDING NOW:
- Woman stabbed, man shot to death in Orange County neighborhood
- Avocado recall: Listeria risk prompts voluntary recall in 6 states
- Hot air balloon stolen in Indiana found at The Villages Hot Air Balloon Fest
- Coast Guard seizes 27,000 pounds of cocaine
"The suspect demanded the victim’s keys and car. When the victim refused, the suspect shot the victim at least one time in the leg and fled the area on foot," a news release said.
“Good Samaritans rushed over to help the victim, who was shot in the leg. Police say they used a belt as a tourniquet to try to stop the bleeding,” Channel 9 reporter Myrt Price said.
Martens was flown to Ocala Regional Medical Center, but he has since been released from the hospital, officials said.
%
%%
%
Officials say a suspect attempted to carjack the elderly victim. Police say when the victim refused to comply, the suspect opened fire. pic.twitter.com/oyXsyODtNY
— Myrt Price (@MPriceWFTV) March 25, 2019
Cox Media Group