Authorities make second arrest in Meehan Avenue shooting

Author: wink news
Published: Updated:

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla.- A second man is under arrest for shooting at a bicyclist earlier this week.

Yonatan Amaya, 19, was charged late Thursday with multiple charges including aggravated battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting into an occupied residence.

On Tuesday, a 19-year-old man reported he had been riding his bicycle on Meehan Avenue near Aaron Street when a silver four-door Lexus apparently intentionally tried to hit him.

He was knocked off his bicycle and received minor injuries. The man said the vehicle stopped and someone began shooting at him. He ran between nearby houses and the vehicle left the area. At least one of the stray shots entered an occupied residence.

Detectives located four 9mm shell casings at the scene. They also retrieved the projectile that entered the residence.

The victim told detectives on Tuesday that the vehicle looked like one he had seen at a home on Hariet Street. He said he had previously had issues with the residents there.

On Wednesday, detectives located the silver Lexus being driven by Michael Coley, 30, of the Hariet Street address. Deputies stopped the vehicle after witnessing a traffic infraction and ultimately arrested Coley on multiple charges.

Coley’s vehicle was seized and, upon executing a search warrant for the car, authorities located a 9mm shell casing. The vehicle had fresh damage in areas consistent with the crash with the bicycle.

On Thursday, detectives obtained a search warrant for Coley’s residence. During the search, they spoke with one of the other residents who told them he had met Coley and his friend, later identified as Amaya, in Sarasota on Tuesday.

The roommate said when he rode back with Coley and Amaya they were acting strangely.  He said they were talking about someone on a bicycle and how Amaya had fired a gun at him.

Detectives located Amaya at his residence and took him into custody.  They also obtained a search warrant from Amaya’s residence. During that search they located two firearms and other potential evidence.

Tuesday’s shooting investigation is still open as forensic testing and evidence evaluation continues.

Amaya is being held without bond at this time at the Charlotte County Jail.

The investigation into the Sunday night shooting is continuing.  Anyone with information on that incident is asked to please call the Sheriff’s Office at (941) 639-2101 (ask for Major Crimes), or Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477).

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