Three suspects from Jacksonville are now facing serious charges after a shooting at an Arby's in Lake City left two people injured. According to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, the individuals were embroiled in an ongoing dispute with one of the victims, who they specifically targeted. The News4Jax reports that the suspects have been charged with attempted murder, battery, and fleeing police.
Deputies identified the accused as Darion Apaig, 20, David Green, 20, and Anthony Williams-Loscalzo, 18. It's reported that two vehicles, one of them reported stolen on June 20, were used to travel from Jacksonville to Lake City, where the shooting occurred. Following the incident, a high-speed chase ensued with speeds reaching up to 125 mph, eventually ending with a PIT maneuver by the Florida Highway Patrol. This detail was shared by First Coast News.
The violent event unfolded in the middle of a weekday morning, sending shockwaves through the community. During the attack, one of the employees, a teenager who was unaffiliated with the dispute, was also shot. Both victims were hospitalized, with one still in critical condition. The intended target, part of a Department of Corrections' work release program, worked at the restaurant and had previous ties to Jacksonville, reflecting the vast web of entanglements that can ensnare even those attempting to rebuild their lives.
Witnesses inside the restaurant provided crucial information that led to the swift apprehension of the suspects. "On the interstate, there must have been 35 cop cars, and they were from all over, and we saw a white car roll over upside down on its hood," recounted Cindy Elwood, a witness caught in the midst of the police pursuit. Her account was shared in an interview with WCJB. During the chase, the suspects also discarded a firearm and other evidence, including a 50-round drum magazine, which a K-9 team later recovered along I-75.
Officials are continuing their investigation, and the suspects are in custody without further incident. Information about the victims' identities remains withheld.
