UPDATE: Deputy shot outside nightclub is recovering; no arrests yet

Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner
Updated ·2 min read
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SILVER SPRINGS SHORES — Two people, one of them a Marion County Sheriff's deputy, were wounded early Sunday in a shooting outside a nightclub.

Sheriff's officials said the incident occurred about 2:15 a.m. outside of Club Time, 9355 SE Maricamp Road, which is located near one of the agency's substations.

This was the scene Sunday morning outside the nightclub where a sheriff's deputy was shot.
This was the scene Sunday morning outside the nightclub where a sheriff's deputy was shot.

The shooting happened while people were leaving the club. It's unknown what prompted the shooting. The only information about the other victim is that he is a man. The deputy's name was not released.

Both victims were transported to a hospital. Sheriff Billy Woods said the deputy underwent surgery and is recovering. Woods said the deputy's injuries are not life threatening. Officials said the deputy was shot in both legs.

As of Sunday afternoon, the shooter or shooters had not been found. In a video message posted to Facebook, Woods said his investigators are not going to stop until the case is solved. He urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.

Deputies roped off the area, a large portion of Shores Plaza, with yellow crime scene tape. Multiple sheriff's vehicle, such as the forensic unit vans, and deputies were on scene conducting their investigation.

In recent memory, the last time a sheriff's deputy was shot was in May 2011, when former Deputy Owen Confessore was shot in the chest by Bruce Wade “Brucy” McDonald, officials said. That shooting occurred in the 16400 block of Northeast 154th Lane in Hog Valley,

Confessore was wearing his bulletproof vest at the time. The bullet hit Confessore just above the heart, and the impact caused tissue trauma.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office on Sunday continued to investigate an overnight shooting outside a Silver Springs Shores nightclub. Two people, including a deputy, were injured by gunfire.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office on Sunday continued to investigate an overnight shooting outside a Silver Springs Shores nightclub. Two people, including a deputy, were injured by gunfire.

Charges against the then 31-year-old man from Salt Springs, to include attempted second-degree murder with a firearm, were eventually dismissed because McDonald was incompetent to proceed and it was unlikely he would be competent to continue the case, according to court records.

The last deputy to die in the line of duty was Deputy Brian Litz, who was killed in February 2004. The State Road 200 substation is named after Litz, and features a statue of him and his dog.

Murder: The murder in Marion Oaks: More info released; no arrest yet

The sheriff's office asks anyone with information about the nightclub shooting to call (352) 732-9111. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers of Marion County at (352) 368-STOP or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: MCSO: Deputy and another person shot outside Shores nightclub