[IMAGE CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 02/10/20]
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LEESBURG, Florida — One man is in custody and Leesburg Police Department is looking for a 17-year-old boy accused of murdering an 18-year-old Eustis man last month, said Leesburg Police Capt. Joe Iozzi.
Around 8:45 p.m. January 29, LPD responded to Leesburg Regional Medical Center in reference to a shooting victim transported to the hospital by a private party. Officers received information Isaiah Walters was shot at Berry Park, 2121 Johns Avenue, in the Carver Heights area of Leesburg.
A witness told an LPD detective she took Walters to Berry Park so Walters could sell marijuana to someone, according to an arrest affidavit. When they arrived Walters got out of the car and approached a white male with blonde curly hair. The first witness and a second witness told police they heard a gunshot and saw Walters fall to the ground. While he was still on the ground they heard two additional shots, the affidavit states.
Walters got into the car and the witnesses took him to LRMC where he later died. The witnesses told police Walters was not armed. On February 4, police interviewed Donald Charles. Miller, 17, by phone and Miller told police he and Jacob Anthony Pontiff, 19, met Walters in the park and Walters tried to rob them, but failed to say who shot Walters, according to the affidavit. Miller later came to LPD, but requested an attorney and the interview was terminated. Miller was not arrested at the time.
[ Miller has surrendered. Read the updated story: https://www.lakelegalnews.com/article/leesburg-murder-suspect-quickly-surrenders-himself-after-lln-headline-breaks-his-wanted-story/ ]
Pontiff was charged with third degree murder Thursday and police are looking for Miller. Miller has ties to Leesburg and Fruitland Park, but does not stay in one place, or own a car, Iozzi said in an email. He may have shorter hair now than he does on the provided photo. He should be considered armed and dangerous.
If you have information on Miller’s whereabouts, call LPD at 252-787-2121 or Crimeline at 1-800-423 TIPS (8477.)
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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]
