An Ocala man was arrested late Tuesday night and charged with second degree murder.
Yusuf Melendez, 21, was taken into custody after Ocala police officers were called at about 10:30 p.m. to investigate a shooting in the 3300 block of SE 4th Street. When officers arrived, they found a female who had been shot lying in the middle of the road near an abandoned vehicle, an Ocala Police report says. An EMS crew loaded the victim into an ambulance, but a few minutes later they alerted officers that she had died.
After witnesses quickly provided a description of the suspect, Officer Daniel Collier located Melendez near the intersection of SE Fort King Street and SE 36th Avenue. The report states that Melendez was sweating, out of breath and had wet blood on his pants and shoes.
A short time later, witnesses positively identified Melendez as being in the area during the time of the shooting and a gun was recovered nearby, the report says.
During a subsequent interview, Melendez told police that said he was walking from his house on 4th Street to his cousin’s house when he heard gunshots and ran away, the report says. He also claimed that he hadn’t changed his clothes in several days and the blood on his pants and shoes came from a cut to his hand from more than week ago.
Upon further questioning, Melendez requested legal representation and the interview concluded. He is being held without bond at the Marion County Jail.
Police believe Melendez and the victim were involved in a relationship. Her identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
