On Saturday, September 29, Columbia County Sheriff Office Detectives began a homicide investigation in the normally peaceful Three Rivers community of Fort White.
The investigation was prompted by a late night 911 call into the Columbia County Combined Communications Center reporting an altercation and shooting at the Three Rivers boat ramp at 1102 SW Santa Fe Drive.
When Deputies arrived, two males were found shot, one dead and the other with a serious wound to his torso. A third male was on scene and had minor injuries not related to a firearm. The surviving shooting victim was air lifted to a Gainesville Hospital.
The initial investigation revealed the three men were in an altercation when the shooting occurred. Although there were witnesses to the shooting who reported hearing the men arguing and heard the shooting, it is not currently known what the argument was about. A handgun was recovered at the scene.
David Scheel, 57 of Fort White was identified as the shooter and had sustained the minor injuries. He was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released. Scheel was then taken to the Sheriff’s Operation Center where he was interviewed and later arrested.
Joshua Brown, 27 of Fort White is in a Gainesville hospital in critical condition and the decedent, Joseph Sapp, 26 also of Fort White was transported to the Jacksonville Medical Examiner’s office. Joseph’s next of kin has been notified.
Scheel was arrested on one count of murder, one count of attempted murder, one count of firing a firearm while under the influence of alcohol and one count of criminal mischief. Scheel was booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility with no bond.
This investigation is active and ongoing.
