On January 16, 2023, Road Patrol Deputies Responded to the 300 Block of NW 32nd Avenue, after multiple 911 calls were received through Dispatch referencing shots In the …
Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Already have an account? Log in to continue. Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe.
For $5, less than 17 cents a day, subscribers will receive unlimited access to SouthCentralFloridaLife.com, including exclusive content from our newsroom.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy.
Please click here to subscribe.
Sincerely,
Katrina Elsken, Editor-in-Chief, Independent Newsmedia
Please log in to continueNeed an account?
Get every story for $5 a month. You can cancel at anytime. Register for an accountYou'll need an account on our site to post calendar listings and comment on stories. Sign up today. It's free, and takes just a minute! |
OKEECHOBEE — On Jan. 16, 2023, Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office Road Patrol Deputies responded to the 300 Block of NW 32nd Avenue, after multiple 911 calls were received through dispatch referencing shots in the area, and a crashed motor vehicle.
When deputies arrived on scene and located the crashed motor vehicle, it was inoperable and stuck on the concrete foundation of a mailbox. Multiple witnesses gave a description of a male wearing white sweatpants and a black sweatshirt fleeing the scene with a firearm, and a second male wearing gray sweatpants and a red sweatshirt also fleeing the scene. The responding deputies were able to locate and detain the subjects. The firearm used in the shooting was also located by deputies. At this time, members of our Criminal Investigations Division (CID) were called to the scene to assist, and the suspects were taken to the CID office to be interviewed.
While detectives were still on the scene, dispatch received a call from others who were involved in the incident. While interviewing these subjects , a video of the incident was obtained.
After reviewing the video, and after interviewing all subjects involved, Aaren Gancerez, 19, and Florencio Salazar Rangel, 16, were arrested and transported to the Okeechobee County Jail.
Aaren Gancerez was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm in public or residential property, discharging a firearm from a vehicle and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Gancerez is still currently incarcerated at the Okeechobee County Jail.
Florencio Salazar Rangel was charged with tampering with evidence, and accessory after the fact. Florencio was turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
This is considered an isolated incident, and no threat to the public.