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Man Arrested In Lakeland Shooting Spree

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By DAVE NICHOLSON The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 17, 2008

LAKELAND - A 27-year-old man was arrested Saturday morning, accused of firing shots at or near three people, including one who was critically injured, Polk County sheriff's deputies said.

Authorities said Anthony Jason Lopez, whose last known address was Fort Wayne, Ind., was charged with three counts of attempted second-degree murder.

He was being held without bail Saturday afternoon at Polk County Jail.

Deputies say Lopez opened fire Friday night inside a home at 2403 Duff Road, Lakeland, where he had been staying.

William Verne, 52, who was shot twice, was listed in critical but stable condition at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, deputies said.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said Lopez had been drinking at a friend's home Friday evening before he returned to the Duff Road residence, went to his room and began listening to music.

At some point, a resident of the home, Kito Lengacher, 29, entered Lopez's bedroom for unknown reasons, and Lopez fired a shot into a wall, Wood said

As Lengacher fled, William Verne and his daughter, Marlana Dee Verne, 21, ran to Lopez's room to investigate the disturbance.

For unknown reasons, Lopez began firing at the Vernes, Wood said.

William Verne was shot twice and collapsed in the doorway.

A bullet grazed Marlana Verne's shirt, but she was uninjured, Wood said.

Deputies responded and conducted an extensive search for Lopez throughout the evening. They arrested him about 7:07 a.m. on Saturday in a wooded area off Northview Road, Lakeland.

Wood said Lopez has a criminal history in Indiana. He has been arrested on charges including battery, resisting arrest, possession of a handgun without a permit and dealing in cocaine, Wood said.

It wasn't clear whether the Vernes lived in the home.

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