A 19-year-old Avon Park man is in the Highlands County Jail on charges of second-degree murder, discharging a firearm from a vehicle and destroying evidence in connection with a deadly shooting that took place Monday night in Avon Park.
Eric Von Feguson Jr. was located and arrest at 1:17 a.m. Tuesday morning, seven hours after the first of multiple 911 calls about the shooting at a basketball court on Fred Conner Street came in to dispatch at 6:18 p.m.
When deputies arrived on scene, they found 18-year-old Carlos Manuel Fuentes lying on the ground. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The investigation revealed that Ferguson was the passenger in a vehicle that pulled up on the grass next to the basketball court. Fuentes approached the driver’s side of the car and, after a brief conversation, was shot by Ferguson.
Ferguson told detectives that after he fled the area, he disposed of the murder weapon. Detectives are still interviewing witnesses to determine an exact motive for the murder.
“This was great work by our Criminal Investigations Unit to make such a quick arrest, but it would not have been as quick if not for many anonymous tips that we received via our app,” Sheriff Blackman said. “Those proved to be a huge help, and we want to thank anyone who assisted our investigation.”
Anonymous tips can be left via the HCSO smartphone app or with Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400-TIPS (8477).
You can also leave a tip by visiting www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and clicking on the “Submit A Tip” tab or by downloading the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone. Crime Stoppers tips are always anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.
“We always tell people that if they see something, to say something,” Sheriff Blackman said. “There are many ways you can help us solve crimes without having to leave your name. We will take any information we can get to assist us in getting criminals behind bars where they need to be.”
Note: Not all arrests result in convictions. Everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty in court.
