LAUDERHILL, Fla. – A man who spent more than 20 years in prison for manslaughter was involved in a supermarket shootout that left a 9-year-old boy wounded after being caught in the crossfire, according to Lauderhill police; he’s now facing a felony weapons charge.
Authorities also released 911 calls placed after the incident Tuesday.
The boy was treated and released at a local hospital after being shot in the ankle outside of the Fresco y Más at 1531 N. State Road 7, amid what a witness said was a fire lane parking dispute Monday morning.
Police said Tuesday that multiple people opened fire — they’re still working to determine how many and who’s responsible for the child’s injury — but said Jeremy Lockhart was among those involved and arrested him later on Monday.
Lockhart, of Plantation, was listed on the Broward County court docket on Tuesday, his 53rd birthday. He’s facing charges of felon in possession of a firearm and a felony probation violation.
Police said in a news release Monday that they identified three vehicles involved: a white Toyota Prius, a white Chevrolet SUV and a black Chevrolet SUV
Lockhart was the driver of the white Chevrolet, they said; a woman driving the black Chevrolet returned to the scene after the shooting and is cooperating with investigators. Police said they’re still looking for the Prius driver.
According to Florida Department of Corrections records, Lockhart spent 22 years in prison after being convicted of a June 25, 1994 manslaughter in Fort Lauderdale.
He had prior prison stints stemming from armed robbery and escape convictions in Broward County.
State records show he’s also known by the street name of “Squirrel.”
Lockhart is now being held without bond in the Broward Main Jail, according to Broward Sheriff’s Office online records.
911 audio released
911 calls placed after the shooting and released by police Tuesday revealed a frantic scene as Fresco y Más employees and other onlookers sought emergency aid for the boy.
“911, somebody got shot in Fresco!” a panicked caller tells a dispatcher.
A woman who identified herself as a store manager also called police in the moments after the shooting.
“We have one kid that’s been hit in the foot,” she told the dispatcher. “There was someone in front of the store, they (were) arguing and a guy pulled out of a gun and started shooting.”
LISTEN: 911 calls placed after shooting
Another caller said, “They were fighting out there, shooting at each other.”
A woman told a dispatcher that after gunfire broke out, “I had my baby so I ran to the side.”
Police said Tuesday they’re still seeking information about the case as they work to identify the Prius driver and any additional suspects; they’re asking anyone with information to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.