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Shop Owner's Killer Sought

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 31, 2008

LAKELAND - Police are looking for the killer of a popular Lakeland resident whose body was found outside his auto body shop Monday night.

Officers found Ernest Allen at Ernest Jr. Paint & Body Shop, 1031 N. Lincoln Ave., about 10:15 p.m. He had been working on a vehicle when a gunman came onto his property and demanded money. When Allen didn't respond quickly enough the man shot him, according to Lakeland Police Department spokesman Jack Gillen. Allen died about 11 p.m. at a nearby hospital.

"A lot of people in the community are very upset about this," Gillen said.

Police said they don't have any suspects. Witnesses say the gunman might have met up with two other people after killing Allen. It doesn't appear they made off with any money.

Family members, meanwhile, gathered outside Allen's shop about noon Tuesday. They cried and clung to one another, then locked up the neighborhood business so many had grown to know and trust.

Bishop Daryl Forehand of Immanuel Temple in Clermont, speaking for the family, said Allen's parents are asking the public to come forward with tips that might lead to an arrest.

Anyone with information should call the Lakeland Police Department at (863) 834-6900.

TBO.com

Weapon In Cell Of Rape Suspect

TAMPA - A detention deputy found a 5-inch shank Tuesday in the jail cell of Kendrick Morris, who was charged in April with the beating and rape of a high school student at the Bloomingdale library.

"We believe the weapon came from plastic broken off a food tray," Col. Jim Previtera said. "The base of the knife was wrapped in a T-shirt to make a handle. The edge had been sharpened, more likely than not, on the concrete. It definitely could have caused serious injury."

Morris, 17, is in an area of Falkenburg Road Jail where he has contact with detention staff but doesn't have contact with other inmates, Previtera said

Deputies are charging him with introduction of contraband into a detention facility, a third-degree felony.

The 18-year-old rape victim was attacked April 24 outside the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library. She was seriously injured.

Morris, of Clair Mel City, remains in jail without bail.

17-Year-Olds Die In Car Crash

WINTER HAVEN - On Monday, Aldeir Mayorga and his passenger Troy Christopher Cockrum, both 17, were killed in a one-car crash on State Road 540 at King Road about 10:20 p.m., the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The Altima they were in hit a pole and split in two. Both died at the scene. Neither was wearing a seat belt.

Staff reports

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