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Who shot woman remains mystery

She told police she couldn't tell if the assailant was male or female. Police think there is no link with a somewhat similar shooting.

By MEGAN SCOTT
Published August 27, 2005

CLEARWATER - Police are investigating the city's second mysterious shooting in four days, this one involving a woman who has no details on her assailant.

Patricia Clark, 54, told police someone rang the doorbell at her N Highland Avenue apartment a little after 6:30 a.m. Friday. When she opened the door, a shot was fired.

Clark was struck in the chest.

She was conscious and talking when police arrived. They were summoned by her 11-year-old daughter, who called 911.

But she was not able to give police any details on her shooter. She was not even able to tell them whether her assailant was a man or woman.

The daughter could not give the police any information on the shooter either. She was not injured.

"All we know is, she opened the door and she was shot," said Clearwater police spokesman Sgt. Greg Stewart. "Her mother didn't see anything. The daughter didn't see anything. That's why there is so precious little to go on."

Clark was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. She was treated and released Friday afternoon.

Stewart said he does not think the shooting is connected to one that occurred Tuesday at an apartment on S Madison Avenue.

In that incident, two men forced their way into the apartment and shot Joshua Gunn, 27, at least once in the torso with a handgun.

Gunn was treated by Clearwater Fire Department paramedics before he was flown by helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center.

He was conscious when authorities arrived, but was not able to give authorities much of a description of the men or the vehicle in which they fled. Gunn was listed in fair condition Wednesday, and had been released from the hospital by Friday evening.

Times researcher Carolyn Edds contributed to this report. Megan Scott can be reached at 445-4167 or mscott@sptimes.com

[Last modified August 27, 2005, 01:14:20]