2 Charged in Drive-By Shooting

Two men face charges in a daylight drive-by shooting that took place Wednesday along Clifford Sample Drive.

The incident unfolded around 1:52 p.m. as Antonio Jordan, 30, was riding his bicycle along Clifford Sample Drive at Sample Court. A 1995 Toyota Camry slowed down and the passenger is said to have fired at least seven shots at the man from a .45-caliber gun.

The men then fled the scene.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, they parked the car behind the Brahman Lounge, 9425 Causeway Blvd., and went into the Wawa store located on Causeway and U.S. 301.

What the men didn’t know, however, is that a witness to the shooting followed them. He contacted a friend, who spotted the pair at the Wawa store and called deputies.

Marcus O’Neal, 20, of Lakeland was charged with attempted murder. Alberto Torres, 19, of Tampa was charged with attempted murder and grand theft auto. It turned out the Toyota the two were in had been stolen in Lakeland, deputies said.

Jordan was taken to Brandon Regional Hospital for treatment.

Both O’Neal and Torres were being held in the Hillsborough County Jail without bond Thursday morning.

Photo Credit: Torres and O’Neal/Hillsborough County Jail