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Ocala man, 19, fatally shot while in neighborhood so he could use nearby Hardee's Wi-Fi

A 19-year-old Ocala man was shot and killed late Thursday in the area of Northwest Sixth Avenue just west of North Pine Avenue. He was in that area so he could use the Wi-Fi network at the nearby Hardee's restaurant, Ocala police said.

At 11:20 p.m., Ocala Police received a call about shots fired. When they arrived, they searched the area and found a man on a sidewalk not far away on Northwest 10th Street.

The man was bleeding. Law enforcement officials and paramedics performed life saving measures. He was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

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Detectives identified the deceased as Ferron Marquise Williams of Ocala.

This is how the case unfolded

Officers were told that Williams was on a residence's front porch on Northwest Sixth Avenue. Police officials said Williams, who doesn't live on Northwest Sixth Avenue, was in the area so he could access the Wi-Fi network of the nearby Hardee's, 908 N. Pine Ave.

Officials said the shots came from the roadway. They're trying to figure out whether Williams was a victim of a drive-by shooting, or a person or persons approached Williams and shot him. No arrests had been made as of midday Friday.

One home was struck by bullets. Residents who were inside were not injured, officers said. Police officials said Williams was hit multiple times.

An Ocala Police Department evidence technician takes pictures at a crime scene late Thursday night
An Ocala Police Department evidence technician takes pictures at a crime scene late Thursday night

After the shooting, officers said, Williams ran and collapsed not far from Northwest Sixth Avenue.

Residents who live at one of the homes near the spot where blood and shell casings were found told a Star-Banner reporter that Williams may have ran through their yard, but he was not at their residence. There is one other home on that block, but it's unclear if Williams was sitting on that porch or just in that vicinity.

The Ocala Police Department is investigating this fatal shooting

At the crime scene, there were 33 small, yellow crime scene markers, stretching from the residence were Williams was shot to where he was found by first responders. Officials estimate the distance at 200 feet.

Ferron Marquise Williams
Ferron Marquise Williams

The yellow markers placed on the ground marked the blood trail and the location of shell casings.

Using flashlights, officers and detectives searched the area for evidence relating to Williams' killing.

The victim's family came to the scene and they were overwhelmed with grief

Williams' family members came to the scene. Told about his death, they were overcome with grief.

Yellow crime scene markers placed along the roadway on Thursday night as police investigate a murder
Yellow crime scene markers placed along the roadway on Thursday night as police investigate a murder

As they sobbed and wailed, they said Williams never bothered anyone. They said they don't know why someone would want to kill him, and all Williams does is listen to music. They said he has been diagnosed with autism.

Anyone with information about Williams' death can call Detective Brandon Sirolli at 369-7183, Crime Stoppers at 368-7867, or go to www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.

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

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Florida man, 19, fatally shot in NW Ocala; was using Hardee's Wi-Fi