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SARAH CAVACINI/Palatka Daily News. A Palatka Police Department officer walks in the front of the Rosa K. Ragsdale Community on Tuesday.
The Palatka Police Department is still searching for a 16-year-old male believed to have shot a man this afternoon in an apartment complex, officials say.
Officers responded at 11:50 a.m. Tuesday to the Rosa K. Ragsdale Community on North Moody Road, where authorities believe Montrell T. Willis shot a 35-year-old Palatka man.
The police department did not release the victim’s name but said in a press release Tuesday afternoon the victim had told authorities Willis shot him.
“It was determined the shooting occurred due to an argument which occurred between the victim and Willis,” the police department stated in the release. “The victim was shot multiple times.”
The victim was taken to a trauma center in the area and is in stable condition, authorities said Tuesday.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit and SWAT team as well as the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office aviation and K-9 units helped in the search for Willis, according to the police department.
Less than half a mile away, St. Johns River State College, 5001 St Johns Ave., went on a lockdown around 1:45 p.m., but the lockdown was lifted around 2:51 p.m. the same day.
Around 2 p.m., the Palatka Daily News saw a helicopter circling the apartment complex. Crime scene tape was at the back of the neighborhood and numerous law enforcement agencies and vehicles were present.
However, by 2:30 p.m., the agencies were packing up and leaving the area, with Willis still at large.
Despite Willis being a minor, his name and mugshot were made public because he is wanted in a felony crime, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
“Willis is considered armed and dangerous,” the police department stated. “The Palatka Police Department and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office are still searching for him.”
People who know Willis’ location or any other information about the case should contact the Putnam County Sheriff's Office Dispatch Center at 386-329-0801 or call Northeast Florida Crime Stoppers at 888-277-8477.