Austin L. Miller|Ocala Star-Banner
As the year comes to an end, some families will look forward to 2022with happy thoughts. Others willpray for justice for loved ones who were tragically killed or injured in 2021.
Several high-profile local criminal cases from 2021 remainunsolved. But officials emphasize that, although there have been no arrests,the cases are not buried or forgotten. Law enforcement continues to seek leads and appeal to the public for assistance.
"While homicides do fall into different categories, we continue to work hard at solvingallunsolved murders. These remain at the forefront of our efforts in our major crimes division," Marion County Sheriff's Sgt. Paul Bloom, the agency spokesman, said.
Homicide arrest: Arrest made in October shooting death in SE Marion; victim knew suspect but motive unknown
Apartment shooting: Man shot at NW Marion apartment complex on Tuesday has died; case classified as a homicide
Here's a look at some of the top cases, listed in chronological order:
I-75 shooting injures Auburn students
In early February, Ocala police officerswent to Interstate 75 to investigate a shooting near the State Road 200 exit.
Students from Auburn University were on their way to the Super Bowlwhen the older model Honda they were riding in was shot at by someone from another vehicle, according to officers.
Two victims in the Honda weretreated for gunshot wounds, officers said.
Detectives said they spoke with the victims and, as far as they know, there was no road rage or conflicts between the injured men and anyone in another vehicle. The names of the victims were not released. Officials said the injured men were both 19.
Officers said they checked security cameras between Ocala and Gainesville, where the car had previously stopped, but did not see anything suspicious. The case is ongoing, officials said, and no arrests have been made.
Anyone who may have seen the shooting or has any information about it can call Ocala police at 369-7000,Crime Stoppers at 352-368-7867, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.
Young mother found dead in Ocklawaha
On Feb. 28, MelissaMarie Neasewas found deadinside her Ocklawaha home at68 Guava Pass Drive.
Nease, 29, a mother of three, lived at the residence with her children, their father and his son.
Sheriff's Office officials have not publicly disclosed how Neasedied, but they have classified the case as a homicide.
Nearly two weeks after the death, detectivesreleased a short video clip from a security camera showing what appearsto be a man running away from the place where Nease's body was discovered.The detectives are trying to identify the person from the video.
While not much information about Nease's death has been released by detectives, they saidthey believe two people were involved.
The detectives are asking anyone who can identify the person in the video, or hasany information about Nease'sdeath, to callMCSO Detective Daniel Pinder at 368-3508 or 732-9111. Anonymous callerscan contact Marion County Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP (7867)or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.
Vehicle hits man on South Pine Avenue, drags his body several blocks
On June 25, Ocala Police Department officers were called to an area near the downtown post office because a man's body was in the roadway. The man had been hit by a car in the 1000 block of South Pine Avenue,and his body was draggedfor multipleblocks. The victimwas left in the middle of the roadway across from the post office.
Officers said the vehicle that hit the victimcrashed not far away, at Southeast Broadway Street and Southwest Tuscawilla Avenue,and the driver fled.
Death investigated: Ocala detectives investigate early morning homicide Wednesday
Police officials seized the vehicle, a2021 Toyota Avalon, and processed it. The investigation continues, officers said. No arrests have been made. The owner of the vehicle, who is not a suspect in the case, has been cooperating with police.
The victim was identified asQuliptens Montgomery, 45.
Skateboarding woman killed in hit-and-run crash
In late July, 27-year-old Kimberly DeLeon was riding a skateboard in the 6000 block of Northeast 25th Avenuewhen she was hit by a vehiclethat left the scene, according to Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
FHP officialssaid since the fatal hit-and-run,they've eliminated nearly 100 vehicles throughout Marion County as they continue to search for the driver. Authorities think the vehicle that struckDeLeon was adark-colored 2011 to 2013 Hyundai Elantra.
Troopers said they're diligently working on the case because they don't want it to get cold.
Anyonewho knows anything about the crash cancallCrime Stoppers at368-STOPor visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.
The shooting death of Wintrell Jones
In early August,Wintrell Jones was with a friend at Northgate Villas, in the 2000 block of Northwest 42nd Street. He was shot, taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center, and later died.
There were several bullet holes on a flight of steps where Jones apparently tried to escape from his attacker or attackers.
Jones was 18 at the time of his death.
Marion County Sheriff's Office detectives said recently that they're following up on leads and are still trying to find the person or persons behind the shooting.
Detectives are asking anyone withinformation about this homicide tocall Detective Billy Burleson at 368-3542 orCrime Stoppers at 352-368-STOP.
Shooting death on SW Fort King Street
Two months ago, officers responded to a shooting in the1200 block of Southwest Fort King Street. The personshot, Searron Brooks, 42, was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center, where he later died.
From their investigation, detectives have identified Donald "DJ" Lorenzo Roberts as someone they would like to interview.
The detectives said they believe Roberts has information about the shooting and thinks he was at the scene at the time Brooks was shot.
Anyone with information about Brooks' shooting can call OPD at 369-7000,Crime Stoppers at 352-368-7867, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.
Contact Austin L. Miller at 352-867-4118,austin.miller@starbanner.comor@almillerosb.
