Step-father fatally shot child’s biological father during awards ceremony at North Marion Middle School in Marion County

According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, one man is dead, and another is in custody after a shooting in a Florida middle school parking lot.

The incident occurred near North Marion Middle School in Citra shortly before 7 p.m. The circumstances leading to the shooting are not yet clear.

Deputies reported that a man suspected to be involved in the shooting was apprehended. The names of the victim and the detained individual have not yet been released.

According to a spokesperson for Marion County Public Schools, the shooting occurred in the parking lot, and no students were involved.

Lt. Paul Bloom of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) reported that North Marion Middle School was crowded with students, parents, and staff on Tuesday night when gunshots were heard around 6 p.m.

Bloom stated that an awards ceremony was in progress inside the school when one man shot and killed another. It is unclear whether there is a direct connection between the individuals involved in the shooting and the awards ceremony.

Police found an adult male shot dead at the scene of an award ceremony. They arrested another adult male suspect who was still there. Both men were attending the ceremony, but their connection to each other and any students is unknown.

A source told Channel3 NOW that the stepfather fatally shot the child’s biological father.

Police haven’t released their names yet.