64-year-old man shot, killed while gardening in yard; suspect arrested

OCALA, Fla. (WCJB/Gray News) – A Florida man is dead after being shot while gardening, and the suspected shooter has been charged with his murder.

The Ocala Police Department called Wednesday’s shooting a random act of violence.

According to an arrest report, a neighbor called 911 to report a suspicious person, later identified as Isaac Toye, 29, walking with a gun in an Ocala neighborhood on Southeast Third Street.

Moments later, 911 operators received calls reporting that Harold Harper, 64, had been shot in his front yard.

When officers arrived, they found Harper dead with a single gunshot wound to the back of his head.

Officers said they found Toye a short distance away with a loaded 9mm pistol in his hoodie.

A single shell casing was discovered next to Harper’s body that matched the gun Toye was carrying, Ocala police said. He was also found carrying more ammunition.

A neighbor told investigators that she was inside her home when she heard the gunshot. She stepped outside and could see Harper’s wife saying, “My husband is dead.”

Family members told officers that Harper was in the front yard gardening at the time of the shooting. He recently had major surgery on his neck and used gardening as a form of therapy.

Loved ones said he didn’t have any tools other than a bucket for collecting weeds at the time of the shooting.

Officers do not believe Toye and Harper knew each other or had any connection.

Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano thanked police for their swift response and arrest in the case.

Neighbors said Harper’s murder is devastating.

“He was a wonderful neighbor. His passion was gardening. He kept his yard well-groomed, and he loved the outdoors. He was just a very nice man; always said hello,” neighbor Joan Zoeller said.

Other neighbors expressed being afraid to live in the area due to a recent uptick in crime.

“Well, to me it’s scary. I mean, Ocala, in my opinion, is a scary place. I lived in New York for many years, and I actually felt safer in New York than I do in Ocala,” neighbor Billy McLean said.

Toye was booked on charges that include second-degree murder.