J.C. Derrick
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and federal law enforcement arrested seven people on Tuesday in connection with a spate of recent shootings in Lake City.
According to a CCSO press release, deputies assisted agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in carrying out the large-scale operation, which came after a monthslong joint investigation.
“We have heard and share the concerns from many in our community about violent crime and appreciate our citizens cooperating with us in these investigations,” Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter said in a statement. “We will continue to exhaust every available resource to keep our community safe. Our partnership with LCPD and federal agencies is extremely helpful in these cases and we appreciate their willingness to work with us to keep our community safe.”
The CCSO reported that the seven individuals taken into custody face various “weapons and narcotics” charges. It did not release any details about the individuals, citing the ongoing investigation.
Recent shootings have killed some residents while injuring others, including teenagers. Investigators say witnesses often decline to implicate the perpetrators, leaving authorities searching for clues to solve crimes.
Last month the Lake City Council approved the purchase of cameras to place in areas where violent crime has been most prevalent.