ORLANDO, Fla. — Arrests were made Monday by Orange County deputies in connection with multiple shootings, including the shooting of a security guard outside an Orange County plaza.
Deputies arrested Tyson Johnson, 18, on accusations he shot Manuel Santiago Beltran in the leg outside the Americana Plaza on March 29.
Luis Perez, 23, was also arrested as an accomplice, but deputies said he was involved in other shootings in the area.
Beltran, 42, said he noticed the suspect acting suspicious and approached him to see what was going on.
He said the suspect shot at him seven or eight times before Beltran took cover behind a support beam.
Other shootings were reported on Orange Blossom Trail, Texas and Holden Avenues, and Americana Boulevard.
"All of these incidents have created a type of atmosphere that made the people who live in the area somewhat afraid," Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said Monday.
Beltran was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center for a wound in his left thigh.
Beltran said he’s unsure why the suspect was shooting at him, because it was his first day as the security guard, but officials said Johnson was trying to steal his gun.
Detectives said they believe the crime is linked to other violent crimes in the area.
Beltran’s wife said he doesn’t plan to work at the shopping plaza again.