Why did they shoot my wife?

OCALA – Walter Poole was born and raised in the home he still lives in the 2600 block of Northwest Second Street.

And, for 42 years, Poole said he has never had any problems with anyone.

But someone apparently has a beef with him or his family, and he's at a loss for words to explain why. "I'm an owner/operator of my own truck; I don't sell drugs, so I don't know why someone would do this," said Poole, leaning against a sport utility vehicle while smoking a cigarette.

Close to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, someone shot his wife, Quelcy Poole, 39, twice, once in stomach and the other in her right hand after the couple heard a noise outside and she walked into the kitchen to investigate, coming face to face with intruders, including at least one who shot her.

"She said, 'Baby I've been shot.' I was shocked. I stayed with her until the ambulance arrived," said Poole.

Poole said his wife, who was transported to Shands at the University of Florida Hospital in Gainesville, underwent surgery last night and she's recovering.

"I'm waiting to talk to her," Poole said, adding he and his wife have been together for six years.

According to Poole, he and his wife were in bed, while the children, ages 10 and 11, were in their beds, when they heard a noise.

Poole said he and his wife thought the children might have knocked over something, so his wife went to check.

"The next thing I knew, she was on the floor and she told me to call 911," Poole said.

Police say whoever entered the home had done so by kicking in a door. Police secured the area and a police dog picked up a track in the 2600 block of Northwest Third Street, but lost it.

Officials believe the suspect, or suspects, escaped in a getaway vehicle.

"I don't know if someone noticed that I'm improving the home or what. I've never had anything like this happen to me before," Poole said.

Anyone with information about this case can call the Ocala Police Department at 369-7000 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or log on ocalacrimestoppers.com.

Austin Miller may be reached at austin.miller@starbanner.com or 867-4118.