A Wildwood Middle High School student is behind bars in Sumter County after shots were fired Sunday at two off-duty Hernando County sheriff’s deputies responding to an online ad for jet skis.
Sumter County sheriff’s deputies scrambled to a residence at 6981 County Road 219 in Wildwood shortly after 2:30 p.m. after receiving a call for shots fired. When they arrived, the off-duty deputies told them they had responded to an ad placed on offerup.com. They said when they arrived, one went to the door of the residence and the other started checking out the jet skis.
The off-duty deputies said they were then approached by 19-year-old Terrance Terrell Jones Jr., who was brandishing a semiautomatic handgun. They said that Jones ordered them to the ground and they identified themselves as sheriff’s deputies and drew their weapons in self-defense, a Sumter County Sheriff’s Office report states.
The off-duty deputies said Jones fired his weapon and they returned fire. He suffered a non-life-threatening injury, fled the area and was taken into custody a short time later. A second suspect also was seen fleeing the area and remains at large, the report says.
The homeowner was inside the residence and said he heard arguing and gunshots outside but didn’t see what happened. He confirmed that he owned the jet skis mentioned in the online ad but said they weren’t for sale and he didn’t recognize the photo of “John,” the fake seller pictured in the listing.
Jones, who lives at 3210 Orange Ave. in Coleman, was charged with robbery with a firearm, assault with intent to commit a felony, possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon and a probation violation on a previous robbery charge. He was being held on no bond.
Jones also has two previous felony convictions from September 2017 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and robbery, records show.
Sumter sheriff’s officials say crimes like this one have become more prevalent in recent times. Two similar incidents – one on April 13 and another on June 25 – were reported in the Wildwood area in the recent months.
Sheriff’s officials say it’s important for those attempting to make online purchases to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. They recommend conducting the transaction in a public place, and if necessary, contacting law enforcement to be present.