Shooting near Port Charlotte Walmart prompts investigation – WINK
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
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CCSO
Two people are in custody and there is a warrant for the arrest of the shooter following an incident in the parking lot of a Port Charlotte Walmart.
Just after 3pm on Saturday, April 12, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting that someone had fired several shots at another person in the parking lot of Walmart on Murdock Circle. Deputies arrived and secured the scene before calling for the Major Crimes Unit to investigate. Multiple spent casings from a 9mm firearm were located in the parking lot.
Major Crimes Detectives arrived and met with the victim, who stated that he and his girlfriend were shopping inside the Walmart store when they were approached by Anthony Mojica (03/17/2005) and another person who is 16 years old. (Mojica is familiar to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office with several arrests dating back to 2018.) According to the victim, Mojica has “had it out” for him since a previous disagreement. As Mojica approached the victim, he flashed a firearm in his waistband and stated, “You know what time it is” and walked away. Following this, the victim and his girlfriend decided to leave the store, not knowing where Mojica went.
As they arrived at their car in the parking lot, a blue Toyota 4Runner pulled up next to them and Mojica and the 16-year-old jumped out, prompting the victim to run back to the store. They began to chase the victim before getting back into the vehicle, driven by Mojica’s girlfriend, Amy Leiva (05/19/2004). At that time, Mojica fired approximately six shots at the victim out of the passenger side window before the vehicle sped off.
No shots hit the targeted victim; however, a bystander reported that she had been struck by debris from the wall where the bullets hit. She was checked by EMS and did not sustain any physical injuries. The store’s security footage was reviewed, which corroborated the facts provided by the victims.
“While I am thankful that nobody was hurt in this senseless incident, I am angry that it happened at all and that innocent bystanders were in harm’s way. The individuals who instigated this will be held accountable, and the shooter knows he cannot hide from us. We will find him, and he will face the consequences of his reckless and evil behavior.”
Sheriff Bill Prummell
Following this, the blue 4Runner was located by patrol deputies in the driveway of Leiva’s residence on Ott Circle. Mojica and Leiva were observed outside the residence but fled inside when they saw the marked vehicles. Deputies began to establish a perimeter, but were informed by neighbors that the pair had run out of another exit and jumped a fence to escape. The 16-year-old was located at the residence and transported to be interviewed. A short time later, Leiva was located at a gas station nearby and also transported for interview.
Both the 16-year-old and Leiva provided inconsistent details about the incident at Walmart. However, each did confirm that Leiva was driving and that a confrontation occurred, with the 16-year-old confirming that Mojica was the one who fired the gun. Both the 16-year-old and Leiva were arrested for their respective parts in the incident, with Leiva being charged with accessory after the fact (2nd degree felony) and the 16-year-old charged with simple assault (misdemeanor).
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Anthony Mojica on charges of aggravated assault, aggravated battery, discharging a firearm from a vehicle within 1000 feet of a person, and shooting into a building. If he is seen, please call the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number (941) 639-2101.