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Police: Man found near woman's body says blood stains were 'days old'

OCALA, Fla. — Ocala police have made an arrest in the shooting death of a 21-year-old woman.

Yusuf Melendez, 21, faces charges of second-degree murder.

Police said Melendez killed Katherine Sarahi Ovalle on the 3400 block of Southeast 4th Street about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Witnesses gave a description of Melendez and he was found near SE Ft. King Street and SE 36th Avenue sweating and out of breath, police said. He said he heard gunshots in the area and ran away.

"I jumped out of bed and I looked out the window, and a minute or so passed by, and I saw somebody hauling butt down the road and immediately called 911, because I didn't know what the heck was going on because I have kids and I was worried about them," neighbor Becca Barthlow said.

Police said Melendez had wet blood on his shoes and pants. He said he hadn't changed his clothes in days and that the blood was from a cut to his hand more than a week ago.

Melendez stopped talking and asked for a lawyer, police said.

Melendez and the woman were involved in a relationship, police said.

No motive for the killing has been released.

No other details were released.

Stay with wftv.com for updates.

HOMICIDE ARREST 4-26-18

UPDATE: The victim of this homicide is 21 year old Katherine Ovalle (DOB 1/16/97). Ocala Police Department has extended our deepest condolences to Katherine’s family. Please pray for them as they cope with this unimaginable tragedy. There have been 9 domestic violence homicides in Ocala/Marion County in 2018. OPD Victim Advocates are available to provide advice, guidance and safety planning for men and women. Call 369-7000 or come to OPD any week day to meet with an Advocate. There is no requirement to file charges in order to receive support. HOMICIDE IN SE OCALA: SUSPECT CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER On April 25, 2018 at approximately 10:30 p.m. the Ocala Police Department responded to the 3300 block of SE 4th Street in reference to a disturbance with shots fired. When Officers arrived they located a female, believed to be 20-25 years old, shot and laying near a vehicle that had been abandoned in the middle of the road. Witnesses provided a description of the suspect and a BOLO was sent out via dispatch. EMS arrived and loaded the victim into an ambulance, however moments later they notified Officers that she had succumbed to her injuries. Officer Daniel Collier located a subject matching the description at SE Ft. King Street and SE 36th Avenue. The subject, identified as Yusuf Melendez (DOB: 6/20/96), was sweating and out of breath. He said he heard gun shots in the area and ran away. Officers observed wet blood on his shoes and pants, which were collected. Witnesses positively identified Melendez as being in the area during the time of the shooting. He was detained and transported to the Police department. While Officer Collier was with Melendez, a gun was recovered nearby. Officer Burgos's K9 partner, Babbo, conducted a track to SE 36th Avenue in close proximity to where Melendez and the firearm were located. During an interview at the Police Department, Melendez said he was walking from his house on 4th Street to his cousin’s house when he heard gunshots and ran away. When questioned about the blood on his pants and shoes, Melendez said that he hadn’t changed his clothes in days and that the blood was from a cut to his hand more than a week ago. Upon further questioning he requested legal representation and the interview concluded. Detective Dustin Todd completed probable cause for the arrest of Yusuf Melendez and he has been charged with Second Degree Murder. Melendez is currently being held without bond in the Marion County Jail. Yusuf Melendez and the victim are believed to have been involved in a relationship for an undetermined amount of time. Officers and Victim Advocates are working to notify next of kin, but until that is complete Ocala PD will not be releasing the identity of the victim.

Posted by Ocala Police Department on Thursday, April 26, 2018