OCALA, Fla. — Three teens are now dead in Marion County after being found shot near the Moss Bluff area.

The sheriff believes the violence all ties to rising gang issues.

“It breaks your heart, especially when you are dealing with teenagers as victims of gun violence like this. As a sheriff, it alarms me,” said Sheriff Billy Woods, of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. 

Woods shared that his office is beefing up patrols and using specialized units to target gangs and gun violence after the shootings, which he says is all one incident. 

“Part of the problem not just in our community but in communities around this nation is the rise of what our juveniles are involved in. You know you’ve got three victims that are all juveniles. You already know that we are suspecting that it will be gang related,” said Woods. 

Last Thursday night, deputies found a 16-year-old girl suffering from a gunshot wound lying next to the road at SE 183rd Avenue.  

She was taken to the hospital in critical condition but later died.

The next morning they found a 17-year-old who was shot and killed lying on the side of Southeast 188 court.

The very next day, they found the first victim’s car in a lake near Malauka Loop Trace, with another 16-year-old victim inside who had also been shot and killed.

The sheriff says the victims knew each other and were likely part of smaller-scale neighborhood gangs. 

“My office has an intel unit and part of there job is to focus on the gangs that have begun to develop within our community, within Marion County and to connect with other agencies throughout the United States so we can gather intel,” said Woods. 

He explained that while they are not your typical organized gangs, every community has them and they still cause violence.

“A gang is not created because they want to go to church every Sunday alight. They are created because they have a lot of criminal activity,” said Woods. 

He believes a major way to prevent things like this from happening is to have parents that are aware of what their kids are doing.

“They would rather be the best friend of their children and not being a parent. They need to be a parent. Watch who they hang out with, watch where they are going,” said Woods. 

Sheriff Woods says he can not share too many details since this is still an active investigation, but they have identified multiple suspects.

“Oh, I am coming for you, and I will get your a** into my jail,” said Woods. 

Sheriff Woods explained that at this point, they do not consider the incident a threat to public safety.

He says parents who are concerned do not need to worry as long as they keep a close eye on their kids, and the rumors circulating of a serial killer being in the area are completely false.  

If you have any information about this case, contact Crime Stoppers of Marion County at (352)368-STOP.