Apopka neighborhood shooting leaves 1 injured, police say

APOPKA, Fla. - The Apopka Police Department on Saturday responded to reports of shots fired near Myrtle St. and Lake Ave. 

Upon arrival around 11:30 a.m., officers discovered a 33-year-old man inside a vehicle with gunshot wounds. The victim, who has not been identified, was transported to a local hospital.

Neighbors told FOX 35 they heard dozens of gunshots. "It sounded like someone was shooting real fast, like an AK-47," said John Pride, who lives just down the road from the shooting.

"I was watching television, and I heard this pop pop pop pop pop really loud," another neighbor who asked not to be identified told FOX 35. "And I said, ‘That’s gunfire, isn’t it?’"

Investigators believe someone shot into a Be Easy Mobile Detailing van. The 33-year-old victim was hit and crashed into some foliage. A postal worker out delivering mail happened to be in the area and crashed too. Officials believe that both will be OK.

"It amazes me that things like that could happen right here," the neighbor who didn’t want her name shared said.

After the shooting, several people told FOX 35 that neighbors emerged from their homes armed. "A lot of people did. Everybody on the block did," said Pride. "I loved it.’

People also told FOX 35 they’re pretty familiar with crime in the neighborhood. "It’s rough around here sometimes," said Pride.

Members of the Crime Scene Unit and investigators are actively examining the scene to gather information about the incident, the APD told FOX 35 News. Detectives said preliminary findings lead them to believe this is an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the community. No additional information has been released. 

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Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Apopka Police Department or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).