Surveillance videos helped deputies from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) identify the man suspected of firing multiple shots at the Hammock Ridge Apartment complex in Spring Hill last month.
On Oct. 27 HCSO deputies along with personnel from the Hernando County Fire and Emergency Services (HCES) responded to a report that several shots had been fired at the Hammock Ridge Apartment Complex, 8332 Omaha Circle in Spring Hill.Some witnesses at the scene said that the shots came from a red sedan driven by a black man. Others told investigators that the vehicle was a gray sedan, possibly missing its hood, that was driven by a white man with long, frizzy hair and a red beard.
During their investigation, detectives from the HCSO Major Crimes unit learned through area business and residential surveillance videos that a total of nine shots were fired in the incident and that a gray Toyota Camry fled the area. Detectives also received a tip about a possible suspect in the shooting and about the gray sedan used in the offense.
Further investigation revealed that the car was registered to a Spring Hill area resident. Deputies subsequently visited that residence, found the vehicle parked in the driveway, and questioned the vehicle’s owner and someone who became a primary witness in the case.
That witness provided detailed information about the incident, identified the intended victim of the shooting, and named 21-year-old Darien Daley as the suspected shooter.
According to investigators, Daley borrowed the gray Camry and drove to the Hammock Ridge apartment complex to find the intended victim. At the apartment complex he saw the intended victim driving towards the parking lot and began firing in that direction.
While the intended victim was unharmed, multiple gunshots struck other vehicles, the apartment building’s walls, and an apartment window.
HCSO Media Relations Manager Denise M. Moloney said that the shooting is believed to be drug-related.
On Nov. 4 detectives acted on a warrant and arrested Daley, who denied any involvement in the incident. He was charged with nine counts of Shooting or Throwing Deadly Missile into Dwelling, Vehicle, Building or Aircraft, and was booked into the Hernando County Detention on a $90,000 bond.
The incident remains under investigation, Moloney said.
