Sheriff's Office continues to investigate weekend shooting

The Alachua County Sheriff's Office was continuing their investigation Tuesday into the shooting of a Gainesville man over the weekend.

Deputies identified the injured man as Tyrone Lamar Howard, 21, said Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Steve Maynard.

Another man, Vandale Denard Martin, 27, contacted authorities and reported he had shot Howard, Maynard said. The incident occurred in the 2100 block of SW 70th Terrace shortly before 10:30 p.m.

Martin told investigators he fired in self-defense, alleging the other man was acting in an "aggressive and irrational manner," Maynard said. Maynardsaid he could not discuss additional details about what Martin said because the case remains under investigation.

Officers have not been able to speak with Martin due to his injuries. Multiple shots were fired during the incident, and he was hit several times. Additional details about his injuries had not been released Tuesday morning.

Investigators have been trying to speak with people who may have witnessed

the shooting.

Officers have the handgun Martin used, Maynard said. Martin was not arrested after the shooting and has cooperated with investigators.

Howard remains in stable condition, Maynard said. His injuries have been described as not life-threatening.

Maynard said officers have responded to earlier calls involving Howard and his behavior.

But Maynard noted the case remains an open investigation. "The gray area is that (Martin) may have initially acted in self-defense," he said. "We can't jump to conclusions. We have to make sure that his actions were both justified and lawful."