A caregiver at an Ocoee group home has been charged with the attempted murder of another caregiver. It all started when the suspect got into an argument with another paramedic.
Ki’merse Akins said she was surprised when 22-year-old Journey Powell pulled out a gun in the driveway where they were working. “It didn’t occur to me that he wouldn’t even shoot, especially not a female.”
She said she, Powell and another person were caregivers at the home for people with autism in Ocoee. “This is a special needs group home.” No patients at the home were injured, according to investigators.
But some saw their caregivers resisting police when they were arrested.
Akins said she and Powell had been dating on and off when they started arguing outside. According to police, Journey struck Akins multiple times, then pulled a weapon from his car and shattered the windshield of Kimers’ Dodge Charger.
As she and a co-worker drove away, Powell began shooting, and that’s when her co-worker was shot, the report states. “He did shoot her. She was in the way during the exchange of gunfire. She was hit, I think a little bit toward the top.”
According to police, when officers attempted to arrest Djerny at the home, he refused to comply. Six autistic people were removed from the home for safety reasons.
Another paramedic who was shot was taken to the hospital and survived. “She was fine. She just texted me. She said she just slept too much,” Akins said.
No supervisor at the home would comment. Neighbors near Laurel Blossom Circle were unaware it was a group home and were concerned about hearing shots fired outside. One neighbor said: “I was shocked to hear the news. I didn’t expect to hear this at all. It’s crazy.”
Powell faces charges of attempted murder, shooting into a vehicle, criminal mischief and resisting arrest.
Akins hopes he will be held accountable, “I do hope he is sentenced for shooting her and beating me.”
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. Click here to watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
