LCPD said the 25-year-old man was released from prison the day before the shooting that wounded a police officer. More arrests are expected.
LAKE CITY, Fla. — Authorities have reported that a Lake City man is facing charges after allegedly opening fire on a crowd during an Easter event on Sunday, as announced by the Lake City Police Department on Friday.
Justin Le’on Claridy, 25, has been taken into custody on charges of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to records, Claridy was released from prison on Saturday following a four-year, seven-month sentence for aggravated battery on a pregnant victim.
On Thursday, the police department made public a surveillance video showing an individual seemingly discharging a firearm as a crowd fled from the celebration. On Friday, authorities identified Claridy as the individual in the video.
LCPD said more arrests are expected. Three people were interviewed after the shooting and taken into custody.
Around 8:06 p.m. Sunday, officers and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies were providing crowd control at a community Easter Celebration held at the Annie Mattox Recreation Center. An altercation broke out Sunday between several people during the annual celebration that usually draws a crowd of several thousand attendees, police said.
As officers and deputies attempted to intervene, gunfire erupted, police said, though the officers and deputies did not fire their service weapons.
Lake City Police Department officer Marcus Hardison was struck in the right arm and released from the hospital Thursday. LCPD did not state Hardison was specifically wounded by Claridy.
“Throughout the week, detectives have diligently pursued numerous leads and reviewed hours of surveillance footage,” an LCPD release said.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Lake City Police Department at 386-752-4343, or report information anonymously through the LCPD TIPS line at 386-719-2068 or Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at 386-754-7099.
