[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 12/29/20]
TAVARES, Florida — The man accused of firing at least eights shots in the Rosewood Condominiums last week now stands accused of attempted murder in a separate shooting where a teenager was shot in the back.
Isaiah Antwan McNealy, 18, is facing numerous charges stemming from the two shootings and a pair of drug charges after he was found with nearly 2 pounds of marijuana when he was picked up on the Rosewood warrant.
On Dec. 20, 19-year-old man was walking in the area of Winn Dixie, 450 East Burleigh Boulevard and St. Clair Abrams Avenue around 1:30 p.m. when a single shot was fired, striking him in the back, Tavares Police Lt. Sarah Coursey told Lake Legal News the day of the shooting. He was airlifted to a local hospital and has since been released, Coursey said.
On Wednesday, TPD responded to Rosewood Condominiums off Dead River Road, shortly before 6:30 p.m. in reference to a man brandishing a gun that was possibly stolen, the affidavit states. McNealy is alleged to have left the area but quickly returned and fired off eight shots that were heard by a responding TPD officer.
Officers set up a perimeter but were unable to locate McNealy the night of the incident. The following day, Christmas Eve, McNealy’s uncle went to TPD and told police he was visiting his sister and his nephew, McNealy. The victim told police when he attempted to hug McNealy, McNealy said, “Man, get away from me with that,” and brandished a firearm. The victim confronted McNealy about his use of firearms and narcotics and McNealy pulled the gun back out and allegedly said, “I’ll shoot you, I’ll shoot you.” The victim called 9-1-1 and when McNealy realized he was on the phone he said, “Bring them, I’ll shoot them up too. It don’t matter.”
McNealy then fled the scene and despite more than 20 law enforcement officers responding and setting up a perimeter, he evaded capture until he was picked up by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office on the TPD warrant on Saturday at Rodeway Inn, 20329 U.S. Highway 27, Clermont.
McNealy’s violent crimes continued to escalate in just a few days, Coursey told LLN. “He attempted to take the life of an innocent person, just walking home from the store; there is no telling what was next,” Coursey said. “I’m proud of the hard work from our detectives to keep this violent criminal behind bars.”
McNealy is facing two charges each of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and discharging a firearm in public, in addition to aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of drug equipment, attempted robbery with a firearm and attempted murder. He is being held in the Lake County Jail on no bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
