Sunday Crimeday in Hernando County, with Two Shootings, Drugs, Gangs, and Wild Pursuits

HERNANDO COUNTY – Law Enforcement and Fire Rescue were spread thin yesterday after several violent crimes occurred across the county including two shootings, a high-speed pursuit, and other brutal crimes.

Yesterday, R News broke the news of both shootings; the first occurring on Timber Lane in Brooksville.

According to a statement released this morning, around 7:25 a.m. on Sunday, 911 dispatchers received reports of a shooting that occurred on Timber Lane in Brooksville.

A caller reported witnessing 49-year-old Christine Lynn Turaniczo shoot a male victim in the abdomen and then flee the scene in a green Nissan pickup truck.

Responding deputies located Turanizco driving at a high-rate of speed on Lake Lindsay Road, where they were able to stop the vehicle and take her into custody.

The victim was airlifted to a trauma center where he was listed in critical condition.

Investigators say Turanizco and the victim had been in an "on again off again" relationship and that Turanizco had suspected the victim was cheating on her.

A witness told investigators they heard "popping sounds" (possible gunshots) coming from the couple's bedroom the day before but no one was injured. The same sounds were heard on Sunday when the victim was shot by Turanizco.

Turanizco changed her story several times during questioning but admitted that she was angry over her suspicions the victim was cheating.

Turanizco is charged with Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon and held without bond at the Hernando County Jail.

A drive-by shooting occurred less than two hours later at a residence on Kimball Court in Spring Hill, where officials say the suspect was owed money by the intended victim.

The victim says he was sleeping in the garage, which had been converted to a bedroom when he felt something passing by his head. Turns out those were rounds being fired by the suspect, 29-year-old Stacey Lovell Barnes, as he drove by in a blue 2009 Scion.

During the investigation, detectives located the suspect and the vehicle at a residence on Omaha Circle.

Barnes told investigators that the victim owed him $2,000 and that he just wanted to scare him into paying the money back, "in a timely manner." Barnes also said he fired into the garage not knowing it was where the victim was sleeping.

Barnes is charged with Firing a Weapon into a Residence and Discharging a Weapon in a Residential area.

Additionally, investigators charged Barnes with Distribution of Marijuana and Possession of Synthetic Cannabinoids, Hashish, and Prescription Drugs.

Barnes is currently held on a $51,000 bond at the Hernando County Jail.

That same afternoon, R News reported that the Florida Highway Patrol was involved in a high-speed pursuit along Cortez Blvd in Brooksville.

Officials say 28-year-old Brandon Corey Johnson was driving a 2022 Dodge Challenger along Cortez Blvd when Troopers conducted a traffic stop near Lockhart Road for traveling 77mph in a 50mph zone. The Trooper ordered Johnson to lower his window, but he fled the scene.

A pursuit ensued that reached speeds of 150mph before Troopers conducted a PIT maneuver (Precision Immobilization Technique) at the intersection of Spring Lake Highway. That's where the vehicle struck two pedestrian crossing signals and another vehicle, before coming to a stop.

Officials say Johnson, an adult passenger, and two male juveniles ages 10 and 15, were immediately detained.

During a search of the vehicle, Troopers discovered nearly 14 grams of Cocaine and 13 grams of Marijuana in Johnson's possession.

The passenger, 31-year-old William Xavier Glover was found to be in possession of a 9mm Glock with a chambered round and 30-round magazine, 29.8 grams of Marijuana, and a bottle of Tequila.

Among the various paraphernalia also found in the vehicle was a lanyard that reads Take me to Your Dealer.

Both men face a slew of drug-related charges and were both on probation for previous crimes. In addition, Johnson is charged with 2-counts of Child Abuse without Great Bodily Harm.

Johnson and Glover are currently held without bond due to violating their probation.