Marion County

High school football player, 15, dies after shooting at Ocala apartment complex, police say

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MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Ocala police said a 15-year-old high school football player died after being shot Sunday afternoon inside an apartment complex.

Officers responded to the Sutton Place Apartments after reports of a teen struck by gunfire.

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First responders rendered aid to the boy, identified as Chris Chevelon Jr., before he was taken to a hospital.

Officers said he later died from his injuries.

Officials said Chevelon was a football player at Vanguard High School.

School officials said the teen was well liked-by teachers and students and that they had counselors on hand at the school on Monday for those who needed it.

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They said Chevelon and his friends were outside in the in the complex near the office when a vehicle rolled up and started shooting at them.

Ocala police say he had “a reason” for being at the complex, but they won’t say why. But they did say Chevelon was known to come to the complex.

“We do have a suspicion that he may have been targeted there, but there’s nothing that we know of any issues or fights or beef with anyone,” a police spokesperson said.

Officers said they are investigating this shooting as a homicide.

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Police said they have no suspects.

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.

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