Lake County home invasion suspect ID'd after fatal shooting

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A man has been arrested in connection to a Lake County home invasion Tuesday morning.

Richard Charles McNeal was arrested Tuesday afternoon, according to sheriff's officials.

Another suspect in the home invasion was shot and killed by deputies at the scene, according to sheriff's officials.

Deputies said the home invasion happened on Taylor Street and State Road 50 in Mascotte.

Raw: Lake County home invasion


Lake County Sheriff's Cpl. Fred Jones said a woman inside the house called 911. She told the operator there were men in the home with guns.

When authorities arrived, Chacarion Avant, 20, walked out of the home and pointed an assault rifle at a deputy, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies said they opened fire, hitting Avant.

"When they arrived, a suspect stepped out of the house and he pointed an assault rifle at the deputies. A deputy shot. The suspect was shot and he was pronounced dead at the hospital," said Jones.

McNeal is charged with felony murder in the death of Avant, deputies said.

Deputies said one resident was shot during the home invasion and another was pistol-whipped. The two victims were hospitalized.

The person who was pistol-whipped has been released from the hospital. The condition of the victim who was shot has not been released.

"One was the victim of a pistol-whipping, and the other was shot in the hand," said Jones.

The victims' names have not been released.

Bloodhounds searched the wooded areas nearby for the other men following the incident. Deputies said the men were believed to be armed with guns.

"We are familiar with assault rifles. Those can do some damage. They can penetrate through vehicles. They are very deadly; some can penetrate through vests," said Jones.

Investigators said they are still looking for Deondre Brown, a person of interest in the case.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting by the deputies.

One deputy has been with the agency two years and the other has been on the force for nine years. They have both been placed on paid leave.