Gun Crime Response Team investigates shooting

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Authorities say two men were arrested and another man was hospitalized after a shooting in Pensacola.

Investigators said Ulysses Samuel, Jr. and Aquarius Devaughn were both arrested and both charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

When they responded to the area, Pensacola Police say a 20-year-old man was shot in the abdomen while he was sitting in a car in the 2000 block of North Tarragona Street.

“They noticed a truck speeding away from the area so they pursued the truck, but the driver of the truck was not willing to pull over," said Captain David Alexander with the Pensacola Police Department.

Police said the vehicle stopped after several minutes near the corner of Tarragona and Lakeview. That's when several men jumped out, including Samuel and Devaughn.

Authorities said Samuel and Devaughn both attempted to get rid of firearms and flee the scene but were caught.

The victim of the shooting was transported to a local hospital; he was listed in critical condition on Tuesday.

Alexander says right now the Gun Crime Response Team, founded due to an increase in gun violence in Escambia County, Fla., is taking the crime very seriously. Still, officials said they need the community’s help to find the other suspects.

Officials are still investigating the crime and say more arrests may be possible.

“There were a lot of people in the area so we’re hoping someone can shed some light on what happened. There are several situations in the community that are fresh in everyone’s mind where innocent bystanders were hit by bullets intended for someone else. So, as a community, we need to do whatever we can to stop the next shooting,” Alexander said.