High Springs man sought in shooting at Catherine Taylor Park

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

The High Springs Police Department (HSPD) responded to a reported shooting yesterday at about 12:15 p.m., near Catherine Taylor Park. According to a press release, officers arrived on the scene within minutes and discovered an adult male victim on the ground with a single gunshot wound near the lower back. The victim was airlifted to a local hospital and is in stable condition.

Investigation revealed that the victim was involved in a physical altercation and was subsequently shot by George Strawder. Strawder and other associates fled the scene on foot and have not been captured.

An arrest warrant has been issued for George Mack Strawder III, 19, of High Springs. The charges are Attempted Murder, Aggravated Battery, Shooting/Throwing a Deadly Missile into a Dwelling, Shooting/Throwing a Deadly Missile into a Vehicle, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

Strawder was released on bail on April 27 after being arrested for stealing money and other items from an acquaintance (the photo above is from that arrest).

HSPD will be deploying extra patrols in the affected area for the next few days and is appealing to the community to use restraint and allow law enforcement to resolve this matter.

Anyone with information about this crime or the whereabouts of the offender is encouraged to contact HSPD Detective Tracy Taylor at ttaylor@highsprings.us or 352-955-1818, or you can call your local law enforcement agency. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 352-372-STOP, remain anonymous, and be eligible for a monetary reward.