Shaquille Neal, a 19-year-old resident of Brushwood Lane in Palm Coast, was driving his Chevrolet Caprice south on Belle Terre Parkway near Royal Palms Parkway just after midnight with his 14-year-old cousin on Saturday. The pair had earlier been to a movie at the Epic Theater, then to the McDonald’s at the Target shopping center before taking two female friends home on Pine Hill Lane.
Near Point Pleasant Drive, just before Royal Palms Parkway, an older model white car, possibly a Lincoln, pulled up next to his and started to pace as though to street-race. The car was filled with about five or six white males. (Neal is black.) But then Neal, who ignored the apparent taunt, heard what he described as several popping noises–and his cousin told him they were being shot at. Seven rounds, according to Neal, five according to his cousin.
Neal sped away. The 14-year-old was shot in the hand. The white car sped off, going west on Royal Palms. Neal immediately took him to Florida Hospital Flagler.
A Flagler County Sheriff’s examination of the car revealed one bullet hole in the passenger side rear panel, three bullet holes in the passenger side back door panel, and a shattered window on the passenger side. “The front windshield,” a sheriff’s report states, “also had a hole in it from what appeared to have been a bullet that entered in the center of the dashboard and then traveled through the dashboard, exiting the windshield from the driver’s side of the vehicle striking the end of the windshield wiper blade.”
The report continues: “There was blood inside the vehicle from [the 14 year old] being shot, in his left hand and there was also a bloody cell phone which [the boy] stated he was holding in his left hand when he was shot. The cell phone was also struck by the bullet and may contain a bullet head or fragment.”
Five empty 9 mm bullet casings were recovered in the southbound lanes of Belle Terre, and were determined to have been fired from a Luger.
When Neal spoke with police, he said he could not identify any of the assailants in the other car, but that the car itself looked familiar. It sat low in the rear, and looked damaged.
“Our investigation so far is indicating that this was not a random shooting. We are continuing to look into the Friday evening activities of both the victim and his cousin,” said Flagler County Sheriff Donald W. Fleming.
Detectives are trying to determine if the two teenagers were involved in a disturbance that took place at the Epic Theater in the Town Center late Friday.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (386) 313-4911.
Outsider says
Welcome to Palm Coast, a wonderful place to retire…..errrr…raise a family…..errrrr……buy drugs and join a gang…..yeah that’s it!
[email protected] says
What in god’s name do we have living here? this is sad . time to move out . florida is a melting pot of everything in the country. all the dirt bags come here because of the warm weather. i do not need the warm weather that bad. going back north when the opportunity comes.
Layla says
This is bad, real bad. Thank goodness his cousin had the presence of mind to take him straight to the hospital.
And the police here have been trying to tell us we don’t have a gang problem? Hope somebody saw something they can use. And I’m glad this kid wasn’t killed.
dontbesoparanoid says
Layla,
What evidence thus far says the incident is gang related? I hear all the time that the Sheriff’s Office denies a gang problem. Why then does the Sheriff’s Office have a gang investigator?
Sure the so-called gang bangers we have here are not the real deal but they can be just as dangerous. Quite a few of them who were trying to recruit at one time now sit in prison thanks to the Sheriff’s Office.
I think the point gets construed. No one denies these kids pose a problem. These just aren’t your everyday, shooting each other, turf warring gang members of bigger cities. Here’s a question.. how many group homes for troubled teens are there in Palm Coast?
Marie says
I know that there is a girls group home in the L section. This is sad, so many things seem to be happening right now this shooting (gang related or not) the boys arrested for robbing ATM’s both FPC & Matanza students. It seems like things just keep getting worse. Palm Coast seemed to be such a quiet peaceful place to come with young children bow I have to question that. I come from the North so I know from where I grew up how bad the crime rate is but this is just a start of the evils to come.
Layla says
Hopefully none. So we don’t have a gang problem here, just your ordinary “I don’t like your face so I am going to drive by and kill you” kids?
Great. Time for a new Sheriff.
Ben Dover says
But they do have their traffic under control, there`s money in them there tickets, grandpa`s not gonna turn that corner too fast in palm coast ,or we`ll take his social security check away , you can count on that in good ole palm coast, our police dept knows who the real criminals are, and they`ll spend every man hr and spy dollar they can, to get their hands on the average joe`s cost of living money.
dontbesoparanoid says
That’s just ignorance talking…How much money does Flagler or Palm Coast get from traffic tickets? I’ll look for your answer here later. It’s a necessary evil unfortunately but I won’t bore you with the percentage of traffic fatalities versus deaths due to crime. I didn’t realize that being a grandpa should make one automatically exempt from obeying traffic laws but it must be true as one almost took me out as he went through a stop sign while I was driving Old Kings Rd.
Layla says
Better watch out. He may be packin’, decide he doesn’t like the look of you, and pop you one.
I’ll take the geezers.
dontbesoparanoid says
Like everyone else, criminals get old too Layla..
Layla says
Not very often as long as they are doing drive bys.
palmcoaster says
Where were our sheriff deputies in heavily vehicular transited Belle Terre?
Layla says
Here’s a question for the Sheriff and candidates: How many incidents of shootings have there been on Belle Terre in the last 5-10 years and what age groups did they involve?
Want to answer that question, Don’tbesoparanoid?
Doug Chozianin says
This stupid violence is preventable.
Children have to be taught discipline. They are not born with it. Little by little parents and teachers have to teach it to them. While teaching discipline does take time and practice, it gets easier as children learn to control their own behavior.
Teaching discipline is easier and more effective with school uniforms (ask the military) and competent teachers and a SCHOOL BOARD THAT REALLY GIVES A DAMN ABOUT EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN.
Marie says
Putting a thug in a uniform will not chnage what they are or the kind of morals they hold. This young men/woman are ruined, they are content with this violent angry lifestyle that they are living.
I do agree that we as parents need to focus on molding our children into well disciplined indivuidals but teachers have a hard enough time teaching lessons let alone anything else. Maybe more of this youngsters need the Military in their life, I know it made me who I am today.
Linda says
It’s about taking pride in who you are, in knowing you are doing your best. We have too many parents who are parents by accident, not because they want to be or are equipped to be parents.
We need to turn off the tv, the computer, take away the cell phones and get to know one another. Many state laws don’t allow spanking or even standing in a corner as discipline. It’s now child abuse in the courts.
We have eliminated sports in many of our schools, along with other fun activities that teach us to work with one another and enjoy doing it. There is more to school than ABCs and we’re not even teaching them that. We are being told to teach them alternative life styles in sex ed but not how to apply for a job or get by in life.
We have set ourselves up for failure.
dontbesoparanoid says
Oh? Aren’t the police supposed to discipline people’s children for them? See, I thought that because of all the times the police get blamed when some kid decides to go thuggin’.
Geezer Butler says
As this story develops, it will also change. Sounds contrived – I’d bet that the victim knows his assailants.
Maybe I’m wrong, but my BS meter is beeping.
Layla says
Doesn’t matter whether he knew him or not. Does not lesson the seriousness of what happened. Teenagers should feel safe going to the movies.
Thinking says
Shouldn’t be that hard to find the driver of the older model white (possibly Lincoln). They got the date and time, review all the traffic cams in the surrounding area. Unless the shooters live right there in the P section and don’t drive anywhere else. At least glad no one was murdered in this drive by or drive up shooting, whatever it’s called.
JL says
Well, it will do no good to move up north, or haven’t you heard, the crime is much worse up there. Camden NJ has the highest crime rate of any city, Philadelphia has had 13 deaths so far this year. Um, let’s see, it’s only the 13th of the month, so that is averaging 1 murder a day. This shooting in Palm Coast is random, but it is a sign to the people, and the police. Get ahead of it now, before it gets worse. Parents, watch your kids. What is a 14 year old doing out at midnight? Sure the 19 year old can be out, but 14? And I’m sure the kids knew what it was all about, but are afraid to tell. We need stricter gun laws, but until the law decides to get tough with criminals who use guns, this is what we’re left with. Lock them up, and forget about them. Philly just lost 3 teens in a gun shoot out in a car, all in one night. The 30 year old who shot them had been arrested multiple times for weapons charges before this.
All the kids in the white car need to be arrested, treated as adults (if they’re not) and put in jail for a LONG time.
Laura says
@palmcoaster,
Their empty cars are parked in the Belle Terre medians as threatening device
for those who dare drive over the limit.
Most alert children can spot unmanned cars from a distance.
Palm Coast villains ain’t skeered.
Meanwhile, five empty bullet casings on the road represent what could have been
a “no random shooting” injury or death for five of us innocent, unwitting Belle Terre motorists.
Stealth and inconspicuous sheriffs…yeah, that’s the ticket.
{{* *}}
Marie says
AMEN
roco says
nother good reason to restart the milatary draft so teens and young adults can get some discipline. They sure don’t get at home or in school.
Windy says
Sounds wonderful. Not just for discipline, but for getting a purpose for life. For growing up without mommy and daddy making alibies for them.
JR says
Having patrol cars, even manned, spaced every three inches down Belle Terre from U.S. 1 to the B section wouldn’t have stopped this. It isn’t a matter of enforcement. Investigating the shooting is the responsibility of the Sherrif’s office — and that is just what they are doing. And yes, it looks like some things are going un-said.
Stricter gun laws would only be effective if you could get the criminals to obey the law. If you not intelligent enough to understand that idea, I’ll spell it out — criminals don’t respect the law, so making what they do illegal won’t stop them from doing it, they’re already breaking the law.
Oneofthe10%whovoted says
Having a Sheriff’s dept that is not a PR dept and IS tough on crime would go a long way toward making it better.
We don’t hire officers to make them popular. We expect them to be tough on crime.
JohnnyLaw says
I guess the jail fills itself?
Jim says
This is a point that needs to find its way to more people. The only thing stricter gun laws are going to insure is that the only ones carrying a weapon is the criminal.
Gia says
It’s parents responsibilities to raise their kids, but they don’t.
JP says
whites?….hummm?….is this a “im not a rat” thing?….blacks have a code not to talk to the PO PO…..i dont buy the story……white people dont like old Lincolns…lol…now if they said a Prius …..lol
roco says
I agree with JP.. The story sounds made up…
jk says
@JP & roco
Did you guys ever think that maybe, possibly the police didn’t release all of the information they have to the public? And once again here we go generalizing people by their race. I’ll tell you what JP if I saw you breaking the law I’d call the cops on you in a heart beat and I am black! So there goes your baseless theory.
hmmmmmm says
sounds like they rode off with something they shouldn’t have…
local consumer says
theres more to this for sure….and what is a 14 yr old doing out at midnight?—picking up drugs perhaps?—sounds like a drug deal gone bad…
roco says
jk. What if JP is black would you then call the cops??
johnc says
Hey jk, Wake up face the facts, how many blacks commit crimes ? more than whites, and stop playing the race card!! The black community needs to wake up and straighten up. Its called responsibility, family values, work, giving back, not taking what is not yours!!! What I see today I think Martin Luther King Jr. would be appalled. This was not his vision thats for sure, the continued killing of blacks killing blacks over turf? drug money? It all starts in the home period, ignorance breeds ignorance. Break the cycle. What are you doing to help the black community? are you mentoring anybody, giving guidance?
Talk is cheap, involvement pays dividends.
Mondex Resident says
just outlaw guns
jk says
Okay JOHNC, you want facts I’m going to go out on a limb and expose myself a bit. First off I am the son of an Italian father and hard working African-American mother. Ever since I can remember my mother worked to make sure myself and siblings had whatever we needed, while our father involved himself in organized crime and other publicized matters that led to our family breaking up. My BLACK mother without government assistance or child support pulled us all together. I don’t need to play the race card I can count on my hand how many time’s in my almost 40 years of life I’ve been visually identified as black the rest of the times people can’t figure out what category they would like to put me in. You didn’t even know what the race card was until OJ beat that trial. Once again when you generalize a race of people you come across misinformed. Maybe Martin Luther Kings words were meant for people like you. I don’t need a dream or a memory to know right from wrong or how to treat people. Here we are in 2012 with all the different hate fueled catastrophes past and present facing us black and brown people are still the scape-goats for everything negative imaginable. It’s funny how decades of enslavement, brainwashing, isolation, forced self-hate and the deliberate break up and break down of families is supposed evaporate overnight. While all this was government sanctioned. People of color have done better than YOU have given them credit for. I came to Palm Coast at the age of 17 with a felony and 6 years probation after serving almost a year in prison charged as an adult at age 16 courtesy of New York State, for a self-defense case. I served every bit of that time and probation and have never gotten in trouble again. I’ve lived here twenty-two years don’t talk to me about mentoring I’m a business owner who comes in contact with every type of person one can think of and if my life experience can help I’m not ashamed to reach out to anyone black, white red, purple or green. With your reasoning skills in regard to lifes matters and race I really hope your are not doing any mentoring unless it’s supervised. It’s sad when people like you put race and crime together as a pair. What you have to remember is that someone’s dark skin does not mean they believe and follow all others who have dark skin. Remember Africa is a huge place, different languages, religions, facial structures and so on, (being facetious) but I bet you conveniently forgot that one as well as the plight of the Native Americans. If being human isn’t enough to unify mankind what makes you think skin color will for black people or any other race? By the way you must have missed the shooting over drugs on Christmas day heres the link
http://www.newsdaytonabeach.com/Radio/WNDB/WNDB-Latest/Palm-Coast-Teenager-Charged-In-Saturday-Shooting.html
Crime is a mankind problem. Not a race problem.
johnc says
Jk I must congratulate you for your accomplishments, you are to be commended for your hard work especially in a county like Flagler. I call it as I see it. I am not racist, there is a fair share of white trash here in Florida. I have been here 10 years and can not wait to get out of here. As a business owner you must be aware of low paying poverish wages in this county. I am leaving this dump of a county because of the low paying wages, I can not afford to live here especially when I work for a company who does not care for its employees!!! No raises or cost of living increases in 4 years. I can not say what I do, but my job would pay me $29 to $40 a hour up north. Here doing the same work $12.50 an hour. What would you do? A lot of people like me have left and created a huge surplus of homes and cheap rents. What do you get trouble. I will put it simple I have no problem with tax payers I have a problem with tax burdens, be it white, brown, red, yellow, or black. Why are the jails so full of minorties? They made the decisions to put themselves there as for Native Americans I have not forgotten the royal screw over and its a shame because those people are trapped in the reservations . All americans are born equal, what they do going down the road to adult hood is their problem. I do have a problem with you implying I need supervision when mentoring. You do not know me, you have no idea of my background, Like Jack Webb said in the tv show Dragnet said “Just the Facts”
SSDD says
Um, this link says nothing about a drug deal, it said a friendship gone bad… Who’s generalizing now???
SSDD says
Um, this link says nothing about a drug deal, it said a friendship gone bad… Who’s generalizing now???
jk says
JOHNC, I know where your coming from and don’t believe you’re a racist. We can go on debating forever about economics and race. It doesn’t change the fact WE still live in this community and have cost of living and family obligations. My comments were not meant to disrespect or offend you. But on a serious note. If I had the capital or energy I would start these two businesses. Here are the two links http://www.rhoadescar.com/ http://www.nauticraft.com/
Biking and Water recreation are being heavily pushed around here. If you could a get a sponsor or backing, try working along side the city or something for space. I’m sure renting out several or more of these crafts can be the start of something big. Don’t let the frustration of this place run you off. Most people that grew up here and stuck it out have find that it really helps to be innovative, network and knowing people that have been here for a while. I don’t mean by favoritism or whatever else. Seriously give it thought and make it or something else work for you. The retirees will love the pedal cars and the pedal boats speak for themselves.
bunnellian says
it’s funny that when a bunch of criminals (regards of the color of their skin) shoot at people (regardless if they are or are not involved in criminal activities) some people get on here and come up with all kinds of excuses for the bad behavior. let’s face facts: yes there are a lot of parents that become parents through ‘oops’ circumstances & yes there is too little discipline going on these days, but lets not blame the parents or society or the police…the fact of the matter is that is “Joe” goes out and shoots at someone, there is no one to blame but Joe…don’t try to tell me that because mom didn’t spank him or dad didn’t say ‘i love you’ enough, he has an excuse for his behavior, that is a load of crap.
Another thing that really aggravates me is all the bitching about the sheriff’s office. If cops were stationed every 30 feet on Belle Terre people would bitch, cops not stationed every 30 feet, people bitch. It isn’t like cops work for free and there is an endless supply patiently waiting for the chance to patrol PC. And like someone said, you are bitching about grandpa getting a ticket for this or that, but when grandpa runs someone over and kills them, you will be the first one on here wanting to know why the cops haven’t taken his license before something like this happened.
To be perfectly honest with you, Flagler County was such a great place to live when Palm Coast was still one big swamp!!!!!!!!
Donna says
All this bickering back and forth does not change the fact that we have a serious problem on our hands,there was a 14 year old boy shot,maybe or maybe not the story is made up this is a KID and maybe he is scared to say but I recall as well seeing young “white” boys in an old beat up car like the one this CHILD described,as long as this car gets these punks from point A to point B to cause mayhem in the world I don’t really think they care what they are driving and besides that is a racist comment anyway that YOUNG WHITE BOYS don’t like these type of cars.They will show up again and they will be caught but HOPEFULLY before they kill some one.
Layla says
Do we have a curfew here and is it enforced? Doesn’t seem so. Not much here for kids to do. They seem to be hanging out at all hours. Much of the crime here is being committed by youths.
Without enforcing a curfew and arranging for youth activities, expect more of the same. Even one kid shot or killed is too many.
This is gonna take a community effort to fix. A strong community effort. Our future citizens are worth it.