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Accused gunman's mentor 'shocked' at allegations in Winter Park shooting

By Monique Valdes, Jason Kelly and Q McCray, WFTV.com
By Monique Valdes, Jason Kelly and Q McCray, WFTV.com
A man was arrested Monday evening in connection with the shooting of another man in Winter Park, police said.
Investigators said a man was shot in the 900 block of Orange Avenue. They said the victim's injuries aren't life-threatening.
After a brief exchange of gunfire, police said they arrested Jerad Christopher Vasquez, 19, in connection with the shooting.
The incident started at a Goodwill on Orange Avenue in Winter Park, authorities said.
Vasquez was wanted for shoplifting and he left the store on foot, investigators said.
Authorities said an officer tried to stop Vasquez, who began firing a gun. One of his bullets hit a man in the groin, an incident report said.
Investigators said a second officer got involved and Vasquez shot at him, too.
"I believe he had started running ... and that's when the exchange happened," Winter Park police Sgt. Garvin McComie said. "And then he hid under a trailer ... and we ended up apprehending him at that time."
Vasquez hid for six hours until officers found him.
Vasquez’s mentor, Greg Palermo, said he was shocked.
"He wasn't a bad kid. I was good friends with his mom. He was on probation. I was trying to get him straightened out. Nothing like this, though. This is amazing," Palermo said.
Records said Vasquez was on probation when he was arrested Monday; he had pleaded guilty in a burglary and theft case at the Rosen Centre on International Drive.
Investigators said in April that he stole key fobs from a valet closet and tried to burglarize vehicles. He said he was on crystal meth at the time, officials said.
Vasquez is being held without bail at the Orange County Jail on three counts of attempted murder.
Monday:
The manhunt prompted a lockdown of Rollins College.
“A shelter in place notification is in effect. Go into nearest room and lock the door. Await further information,” the school tweeted Monday afternoon.
The lockdown began at about 4 p.m. and was lifted shortly before 5:30 p.m., but the manhunt continued.
"They just told us to lock up our dorms, stay inside, and if you were in a classroom, you had to hunker down," Rollins College freshman Jake Wheeler said. "And people were sending photos of kids hiding under desks and stuff."
The city of Winter Park had advised drivers to avoid the area of Fairbanks and Orlando avenues during the search.

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Rollins Alert: A shelter in place notification is in effect. Go into nearest room and lock the door. Await further information.
For further information, contact @WinterParkPD.

Cox Media Group

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