June 10, 2022
On May 6, 2022 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a homeowner in the Chiefland area who reported a man forced his way into their home. The homeowner told the 911 operator the owner responded to a person who was franticly pounding on their door. When the door was opened the intruder pushed the homeowner aside and ran into their home. The caller said the intruder was being held at gunpoint by them until deputies arrive.
Deputy Kristen Gerace was first to arrive on scene. The homeowner and the next door neighbor had guns trained on an unidentified person inside the laundry room. Deputy Gerace handcuffed the male whom she was able to identify as Andre Troy McCalla (12/26/93) of Gulfport, Florida. Sheriff McCallum and a Chiefland Police Officer arrived to assist and their investigation determined that McCalla arrived in the Chiefland area to meet a local drug dealer. McCalla told Deputy Gerace he consumed meth, crack cocaine and marijuana with this person who then began chasing him through the woods and was trying to kill him. He ran to this home trying to get help.
McCalla said he had been shot in the foot by the people chasing him and was bleeding profusely. Deputy Gerace and responding EMS units did not find any gunshot wounds but McCalla did have large cuts on his feet. McCalla was treated for his injuries then arrested by Deputy Gerace. McCalla was taken to the Levy County Detention Center where he was charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling and battery. He is being held in lieu of a $30,000 bond.
Sheriff McCallum said, “I remind each homeowner to be prepared to protect their home and family. Residents need to take every precaution by keeping their doors and vehicle locked and their valuables secured. In this instance, the homeowner was prepared and exercised great restraint. Because of this restraint and our quick response to the scene, no one was injured and the suspect was taken to jail. Justice was swiftly served and a person who came to our quiet community to commit crimes will spend time behind bars at our Detention Center.”