A 28-year-old Summerfield man is facing multiple felony charges after Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives say he shot a man several times inside a residence, drove the wounded victim to the HCA Florida Summerfield Emergency Room, and then fled after allegedly trying to prevent a witness from contacting law enforcement.
Josiah Elijah Yarrington was arrested June 21 and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, armed robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and tampering with a victim or witness. He is being held without bond.
According to the arrest affidavit, deputies initially responded to the residence after a suspicious 911 call around 2:44 p.m. but were unable to make contact with anyone inside. A short time later, at approximately 3:20 p.m., Austin Brown and Savannah Smallwood arrived at HCA Florida Summerfield Emergency Room on U.S. Highway 441. Brown was suffering from multiple apparent gunshot wounds and was later transferred to another hospital for a higher level of care. Investigators said the pair told deputies the shooting had occurred at the residence, prompting law enforcement to return and secure the scene.
Inside the home, deputies reported finding multiple shell casings, apparent bullet holes in the walls, and a scoped firearm in the garage. Investigators later identified Yarrington as the suspect after interviewing the victims. Deputies located him later that day at a residence on Southeast 55th Avenue in Summerfield and took him into custody.
Brown told detectives he had received permission from his father and sister to temporarily stay at the residence. He said Yarrington, who was dating Brown’s sister and also lived at the home, became agitated after arriving and demanded Brown leave. Brown said Yarrington went into the garage, returned with a handgun, and immediately opened fire, striking him multiple times. Brown crawled into a bedroom where Smallwood had taken cover.
Investigators said Yarrington later forced his way into the bedroom carrying what witnesses described as a larger firearm, pointed it at both victims, and demanded their cell phones. Brown told detectives he begged Yarrington to take him to a hospital, and Yarrington eventually loaded him into a vehicle. Smallwood insisted on accompanying them because she did not want Brown left alone with Yarrington.
After arriving at the Summerfield emergency room, investigators said Yarrington told Smallwood she needed to remain with him because he did not want her contacting law enforcement. Both victims managed to get out of the vehicle before Yarrington drove away. Smallwood later told detectives Yarrington pointed a handgun at her during the drive to the hospital, placing her in fear.
Brown told investigators he had not threatened Yarrington or been armed before the shooting. Detectives documented multiple gunshot wounds, including injuries to Brown’s back, shoulder, and thigh, and hospital staff advised that one projectile appeared to remain lodged near his groin.
When interviewed by detectives, Yarrington denied involvement and claimed he had been at church when the incident occurred. After being advised of his rights, he invoked his right to an attorney and declined to provide any further statement.
