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Summary: Harold Whitt Harper, 64, died from a gunshot wound while weeding his yard in Ocala, Florida, on January 8, 2026. Police captured Isaac Ezekiel Toye, 29, hiding nearby after witnesses described his erratic behavior, including brandishing a handgun. Charged with second-degree murder, Toye had no ties to Harper in this apparent unprovoked assault.
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OCALA, Fla. — Authorities say a quiet afternoon in a historic neighborhood turned deadly when a 64-year-old man was gunned down in his front yard, prompting a swift arrest and leaving residents grappling with fear.
Harold Whitt Harper was pulling weeds outside his home near Southeast Third Street and 11th Avenue on Wednesday afternoon when the shooting occurred, according to police reports. Officers from the Ocala Police Department responded to a 911 call around 3:45 p.m. reporting gunfire and discovered Harper with a single gunshot wound to the back of the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts by emergency responders.
Moments before the attack, a nearby driver contacted authorities about a suspicious individual dressed in all black who approached his vehicle as he backed out of his driveway. The witness reported that the man gestured for him to stop and appeared to chamber a round in a silver handgun, but the driver sped away unharmed. Police later linked this encounter to the subsequent homicide, describing both as part of the same sequence of events.
Investigators arrested 29-year-old Isaac Ezekiel Toye two blocks from the crime scene shortly after the incident. According to arrest affidavits, Toye was found attempting to conceal himself between bushes and matched descriptions provided by multiple witnesses. Doorbell camera footage captured a figure resembling Toye walking away from Harper's property immediately after the shot was fired. Authorities say Toye had no known connection to Harper, labeling the killing as a senseless, random act.
Toye faces charges of second-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault. He was booked into the Marion County Jail and is being held without bond, with a court appearance scheduled for later this week. Police Chief Mike Balken praised community members for coming forward with tips that aided the quick resolution, noting in a statement that the department is committed to ensuring justice for the victim's family.
Harper's loved ones remember him as a gentle, kind-hearted individual with a deep passion for gardening. Friends described him as an easygoing professional who had recently undergone neck surgery and was enjoying one of his first days back outdoors. His son-in-law recounted speaking with Harper just before the tragedy, only to rush outside upon hearing the commotion and find him collapsed.
The incident has rattled the close-knit community, with neighbors expressing heightened concerns about safety in the area. Local leaders, including Mayor Ben Marciano, extended condolences to Harper's family via social media and vowed to support efforts for accountability. Residents in the affluent district, unaccustomed to such violence, have called for increased patrols, with some saying the event has shattered their sense of security.
Police continue to investigate any potential motives, though none have been identified. The case highlights ongoing discussions about random violence in otherwise peaceful suburbs, authorities added.
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