Second poker game shooting reported

Florida -- For the second time in two months, Putnam County deputies have been called to a shooting at a card game. Officials said it was just coincidence that one man had ties to both incidents.

On Feb. 16, Freeman G. Turner, 45, of Palatka discovered the bodies of three men who had been killed in an all-night poker game on Carver Street. He was not a suspect in the shooting and another man was ultimately arrested in the case and is awaiting trial.

At about 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Turner was playing cards with several acquaintances at 101 Carole Road in Palatka, investigators said. The game was interrupted when the front door was kicked open and a man armed with a gun rushed in.

In a news release about the incident, Sheriff's Maj. Keith Riddick noted that witnesses told investigators, "The man yelled several expletives, before firing two shots."

Turner, who was hit in the hip by one of the shots, was able to escape from the home with the other card players. They ran to a neighbor's home to call for help.

Turner was flown to Shands at the University of Florida, where he was listed in stable condition on Friday.

"At this time, there is nothing to indicate that these two (shooting) incidents are related," Riddick's news release also noted.

A search was continuing Friday for the suspect. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Putnam County Sheriff's Office or Crimestoppers at 888-277-8477.

News Added: 19 April, 2008

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