Updating Breaking News: Gainesville police arrest suspect in attempted murder of FHP trooper

Updated: Today at 5:30 PM

A traffic stop this morning at 2:31 am by an alert Gainesville police officer in east Alachua County has resulted in the arrest of David Le-Otis James, 35 of Starke. 

James was identified as the driver of  the 2020 Nissan, involved in an earlier shooting incident in Marion County on Thursday. James was booked into the  Alachua County Jail, on an outstanding warrant issued in Marion County. 

In addition to charges filed by the Ocala Police Department, FHP Investigators have added charges of Aggravated Fleeing & Eluding and Principle to  Attempted Murder against James. Information about the identity and location of the passenger involved is still ongoing. 

The astute observation of the vehicle sought, and subsequent arrest of James made by the Gainesville police officer was a tremendous help in this ongoing investigation. 

From Yesterday:

Ocala police are looking for two suspects who fired shots at a Florida Highway Patrol trooper while in pursuit of their fleeing vehicle.

According to a statement by the FHP, sometime after 3:00 pm on Thursday an FHP Trooper was notified of a shooting which had just occurred in downtown Ocala. As the suspect vehicle exited a parking garage the Trooper commanded the driver to exit his vehicle. The driver ignored the Troopers directions and fled the scene at a high rate of speed.

The Trooper began a pursuit of the vehicle described as a silver colored Nissan sedan. During the pursuit a passenger of the fleeing vehicle shot multiple times at the Trooper and his patrol car. The Trooper lost contact with the vehicle which is still at large.

The Trooper was not struck or injured during this encounter. The initial shooting incident is being investigated by the Ocala Police Department.