Brandon Teen Charged With Shooting Man in the Head

A Brandon teenager is charged with attempted murder after he shot a man in the head during an apparent drug deal, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office reports.

Investigators said Gerald Terrell Jones, 17, shot Daniel Drake, 21, while the two "were engaged in a drug transaction" around 2 p.m. Jan. 20 in the area of Mohrlake Drive.

Deputies arrived to discover Drake bleeding from the head and mouth, according to a media release. He was transported to Tampa General Hospital with a single gunshot wound to the head, and the bullet was later removed during surgery. The victim is listed in critical condition within the intensive care unit, the release stated.

Investigators said Jones and Drake had gotten into a fight inside Drake's vehicle while it was parked in a driveway in the 1400 block of Mohrlake Drive, and Jones "produced a pistol and threatened to kill the victim."

After the altercation, Jones took an unknown amount of marijuana from the vehicle and attempted to run off, police said. The two got into another altercation, during which Jones fired several shots, shooting Drake once through the head. Jones was identified by witnesses, police said.

Jones, of 1227 Franford Dr., was taken into custody Friday, Jan. 27, and charged with attempted felony murder with a firearm.