Barnett Park shooting victim's friend speaks

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Alphonzo Johnson Jr. remains in critical condition after being shot at Barnett Park on Monday. Deputies say there was a fight over a basketball game, shortly before the 27-year-old man was shot.

"We been playing for the last five years," said Johnson's friend Antonio Clark.  "He's real good, real good."

Clark, also known as "Smoke," said Johnson often comes to the park with his family.

"He got five kids, and all he do is bring his kids to the park and play basketball."  

Parents who come here say the shooting incident is disturbing.

"Me and my children we normally come here after school and eat snacks and stuff," said one parent. "It makes me not want to come out here really. People playing basketball. They trash talk and they can't handle it."

Clark calls it a senseless shooting.

"It was so sad. A lot of tears in my eyes. But we're gonna try and do the best thing."

That includes helping Johnson and his family by gathering donations from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday.

"At Barnett Park, we're having a fundraiser for him. Anyone want to come out and donate, every penny counts."

Deputies continue to look for the people responsible for the shooting. If you have any information call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).