Lake City man accused of shooting into crowd after 'altercation' at Easter event
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LCPD said the 25-year-old man was released from prison the day before the shooting that wounded a police officer. More arrests are expected.

LAKE CITY, Fla. — A Lake City man has been accused of shooting into a crowd during an Easter celebration Sunday, the Lake City Police Department announced Friday.

Justin Le’on Claridy, 25, was arrested on aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charges. Claridy was released from prison on Saturday after serving a four-year, seven-month sentence for aggravated battery on a pregnant victim, records show.

LCPD said more arrests are expected. Three people were interviewed after the shooting and taken into custody.

Around 8:06 p.m. Sunday, officers and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies were providing crowd control at a community Easter Celebration held at the Annie Mattox Recreation Center. An altercation broke out Sunday between several people during the annual celebration that usually draws a crowd of several thousand attendees, police said.

As officers and deputies attempted to intervene, gunfire erupted, police said, though the officers and deputies did not fire their service weapons.

Lake City Police Department officer Marcus Hardison was struck in the right arm and released from the hospital Thursday. LCPD did not state Hardison was specifically wounded by Claridy.

“Throughout the week, detectives have diligently pursued numerous leads and reviewed hours of surveillance footage,” an LCPD release said.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Lake City Police Department at 386-752-4343, or report information anonymously through the LCPD TIPS line at 386-719-2068 or Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at 386-754-7099.

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