Man Wanted in Shooting
November 24, 2009
On Tuesday, November 17th, at approximately 10:00PM, the Tallahassee Police Department responded to a reported shooting in the 2700 Block of Cypress Lake Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a 20-year-old man had been shot while visiting a friend. According to information obtained by investigators, the victim was approached by a "drug dealer" who told the victim and his friends to quiet down. According to the victim, the "drug dealer" was concerned that police would respond to the area and interfere with his drug transactions. The "drug dealer" then brandished a handgun at which time a brief altercation between the victim and suspect occurred. The victim fled on foot but was chased by the suspect. While running away the victim fell and the suspect fired several times at the victim while standing directly over the victim. The suspect then fled.
After the shooting, the victim was able to return to his vehicle and attempted to drive himself to the hospital. The victim crashed his white Chevrolet Tahoe at the intersection of South Adams Street and Orange Avenue. The victim received minor injuries as a result of the crash and was transported by ambulance to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. The victim was treated for a non-life threatening gunshot wound and later released.
Investigator Angie Booth, with the Tallahassee Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit, conducted a follow up investigation in an effort to identify the suspect who shot the victim. Investigator Booth received information from Officer Jody Fruchtnicht that 22-year-old Willie Ponder was the possible shooting suspect. Investigator Booth conducted a photo lineup and the victim positively identified Ponder. Investigator Booth obtained a warrant for the arrest of Willie Ponder on November 23, 2009 for Attempted First Degree Murder.
Ponder remains at large and the Tallahassee Police Department is asking for assistance from the public in locating him. Ponder is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tallahassee Police Department at (850) 891-4200 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 574-TIPS (8477). Remember, Crime Stoppers does not want your name, just your information. You could be eligible for a cash reward.
Contact
David McCranie, Public Information Officer, 891-4255
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