St. Lucie Sheriff's Office has identified a person of interest in the MLK Day shooting incident that occurred Monday afternoon. This content is imported from Twitter. January 18, 2023, 5:59 PM. FORT PIERCE, Fla. Friends and family members gathered Saturday to honor the life of a Fort Pierce mother who was killed in a mass shooting at a Martin . Police: Two killed, four injured in New Year's Day shooting in Ocala, Constitutional carry:DeSantis dodges 'heart beat' abortion bill question, says he's 'ready' for gun bill, 'Dont knee cap the rights':Gov. Bang,'" said Charlie Frank Matthew, a witness. After the site at 311 Indian River Drive is fully developed with a . Deputies say more than 1,000 people were at the event. On Wednesday, Hester identified Frederick L. Johnson Jr., 27, as a person of interest detectives want to question. She was an innocent bystander.. FORT PIERCE The woman who died after a shooting incident on Martin Luther King Jr. Day was identified Wednesday as 29-year-old Nikkitia Bryant, of Fort Pierce, as two of seven others struck by . DeSantis orders investigation into Orlando shooters criminal history, Forecast: Slightly warmer with clear conditions, Everything is burnt: Family speaks after home lost in Collier Co. wildfire, Manatee distressed from red tide rescued in Lee County, New Florida bill would impose restrictions on gender-affirmative care, North Port man crashed through FHP homicide investigation. She said Pinkney was the only expected arrest in the case. Nikkitia Bryant, 29, was a cosmetologist from . News in 90: Tebow prayer, teacher bonuses and Stuart city manager, TCPalm's Rob Landers brings you some of this week's top stories on the News in 90 Seconds, 'I saw the gator grab her,' woman says after neighbor dies in alligator incident, Officer, device, give inside view of Vero Beach parking, nature of motorists | Opinion, Strawberry picking season is almost over. The event 772 MLK Car Show & Family Fun Day advertised live music, a local car show, kids bounce zone and more to honor and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from noon to 6 p.m., a calendar listing said on the City of Fort Pierce's website. Mass killing database: Revealing trends, details and anguish of every US event since 2006, Earlier Monday at least six people, including an infant, were shot and killed in Goshen, California. WPBF 25 sat down with students in the after-school program "End It" to get their thoughts on what needs to happen. THERES ALSO, KIDS IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL OF THIS LINING UP, WAITING TO GET ON THEIR BUSSES, GO TO SCHOOL. Hester implored those with information to come forward, asking people to call 772-462-3230 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 800-273-TIPS. AGAIN, THIS HAPPENED A MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR BLOCK PARTY AND CAR SHOW JUST AFTER 5 P.M. She . Community remembrance:Candlelight vigil for shooting victims 'a lighthouse' for a community. St. Lucie County, Florida, news and information in Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie WERE GOING TO GET TO YOUR FORECAST IN JUST A MOMENT THAT WE DO WANT TO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS DEVELOPING STORY THAT IS NOW MAKING NATIONAL HEADLINES. YESTERDAY. The Gun Violence Archive (and the Congressional Research Service) defines a mass shooting only on the number of people shot: four or more, not including the shooter. Deputies investigating shooting near Fort Pierce park during MLK Day eventSubscribe to WPBF on YouTube now for more: http://bit.ly/1qfxvbXGet more West Palm . FOUR OTHERS, INCLUDING A CHILD WERE INJURED IN THIS. An explosive device was found in a checked piece of luggage at Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley International Airport on Monday, according to a criminal complaint. Why gun control advocates see no end in sight, There were 31 mass shootings in Florida in 2022. South Florida Sports Headlines Newsletter. 85 breaking news dragged into water Featured featured stories Fort Pierce woman killed by 10-foot alligator Spanish Lakes Fairways St Lucie community news st lucie county . "She was a kind little girl growing up with a great smile," family member Phyllis Harris said. 'A bad day for hope': Another school shooting. A shooting that left one woman dead and several others injured at a Fort Pierce park shouldn't be quickly forgotten. 1 dead, 11 others expected to survive after MLK Jr. Day mass shooting in Fort Pierce. Real Estate News. Bullet sales are rising and so are death totals in mass shootings. The mother was shot at an MLK Day event in Fort Pierce, There was at least one shooter involved, Hester said, adding he believes there was more than one shooter. "Multiple people were shot, it sounds like from our initial investigation here on scene there was a disagreement of some sort between two parties, and unfortunately, they chose to resolve that with guns, said Hester. He identified Frederick L. Johnson Jr., 27, as a person of interest detectives want to question. and last updated 4:29 PM, Jan 28, 2023. Leonard Barron Wednesday said he lived next door to Bryant on Dunbar Street, though said she didnt live there presently. They are all expected to survive. A petition in opposition to the development now has more than 2,000 signatures, while other Fort Pierce residents express excitement 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays Watch Now DeSantis wont reform Florida gun laws, bats down Democrats demand for special session, Another school shooting. He also added, "What was a shooting investigation has turned into a murder investigation.". Pastor Richard Cox, of Trinity Lutheran Church, leads a prayer vigil for victims of mass shooting during a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. The shooting stemmed from a dispute between two rival Fort Pierce gangs, according to police. As of Jan. 16, there have been five mass shootings in Florida. SheKnows. IT WAS A FAMILY EVENT. "I'm going to miss her," family member Brandy Cummings said. Lee founded a grassroots communitymovementcalled "Restore the Village"in 2013, aimed at revitalizing restoring the Lincoln Park community. AND WEVE BEEN SEEING CLEANUP CREWS OUT FOR THE LAST HOUR. One person was killed and seven others were shot at a block party packed with more than 1,000 people celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Fort Pierce, Florida, Monday, police said. This is a priority for us.". Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. #BREAKING #UpdateAt least 8 people have been shot at Martin Luther King event in Fort Pierce, Florida pic.twitter.com/cOduFUiqer. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. When I watched those body cam videos, what I see is chaos, Hester said. WHAT HAPPENED IS DEFINITELY TERRIBLE. Pinkney was questioned by police at the scene of the shooting where, according to the news release, he "identified himself as the suspect.". According to the St. Lucie Sheriff's Office, the incident happened around 5:20 p.m. during a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at Ilous Ellis Park in Fort Pierce, a community north of West Palm Beach, a few hours after the parade had ended. As the rain came down Saturday, there was a subtle gloom in the air. Friends and family gathered Saturday to honor the life of a Fort Pierce mother who was killed in a mass shooting at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event earlier this month. "I'm really going to miss her.". NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS POINT. The shooting happened at Ilous Ellis Park at 5:20 p.m. during the MLK Car Show and Family Fun Day. Deputies with the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office have named a person of interest in the deadly mass shooting that took place during a Martin Luther King Jr. event on Jan . It happened around 6:30 p.m. on North 21st Street and Avenue E. Officials said there was a second victim from the . Follow Will on Twitter @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. Former state Rep. Larry Lee was brought to tears when talking about innocent bystanders who were hurt. Media/News Company. Can they be stopped? Funeral held following Jan. 17 mass shooting that claimed mother's life. AND JOSE, NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE THIS MORNING MORNING. WPBF 25 News was the first local news crew at the scene. FORT PIERCE, Fla. Friends and family members gathered Saturday to honor the life of a Fort Pierce mother who was killed in a mass shooting at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event earlier this month. By Allen Cone. There is a $15,000 reward for an arrest and conviction in the case. The victim's loved ones laid her to rest with a final message. Everything, to a certain degree, seemed to be going fine.". They were toward the south end of the area. 1:51. "I love you," Cummings said. The man was taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital but died from his injuries, police said. Why gun control advocates see no end in sight. Some of those individuals that were involved in this dispute are documented gang members and that's what led us to that initial stance that this was a gang-related event, Hester said. Murray wants the shooting discussed by the Police Community Advisory Committee, which was created in 2018, just two years after Fort Pierce police shot and killed Demarcus Semer, a 21-year-old . The tragedy, believed the result of a gang dispute, occurred during a car show and shortly after a parade honoring one of the nation's greatest civil rights leaders. On a day honoring a man of peace and nonviolence, multiple people were shot Monday afternoon in Fort . "Let me be clear that our detectives are working around the clock. FORT PIERCE, Fla. - A 30-year-old woman has died after she and seven others were hurt following a shooting during a car show and Martin Luther King Day celebration Monday night in Fort Pierce . ABC Action News - WFTS - Tampa Bay . The person of interest in the deadly mass shooting that left a mother dead and 11 others wounded during a Martin Luther King Jr. event in Fort Pierce turned himself in Wednesday. Count on NBC2 to provide updates as more information is released. St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, Fort Myers News-Press, Community residents take part in prayer vigil for mass shooting victims in Fort Pierce. During a news conference, the Sheriff said that the woman who died was a Ft Pierce native. Those words also resonate with long-time local pastor Pinky Henley, who is a member of the Survivors of Murdered Victims organization. One woman is seen running to safety while holding a baby.Video below: A look at the sceneThe sheriff's office says two deputies were at the event on a detail and were able to respond to the incident right away. Today, Chief Deputy Hester and I were honored to be in the Martin Luther King Jr. parade along Martin Luther King Blvd. Fort Pierce mass shooting leaves families focused on how to stay safe in chaos. "I'm always going to believe that.". Working to gather info. Local journalists work hard to keep you informed about the things you care about, and you can support them by subscribing to yourlocal news organization. And then so many innocent people who were injured or hurt and were not part of the disagreement as well.". 8:39. Bryant was at an event at Ilous Ellis Park on Avenue M with her young daughter and roughly 1,000 or so others about 5:20 p.m. Monday when shots rang out during a dispute, Sheriffs Chief Deputy Brian Hester said Wednesday. There were 31 mass shootings in Florida in 2022. One of the people who was shot is in critical condition. "Everybody knows she was a good person. Tonya Woodworth, a spokeswoman for the agency, said no additional information is available at this time. |. Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Johnny Lee Green III, 20, of . Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. A spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed that the couple has been asked to vacate their former U.K. residence, Frogmore Cottage.On an episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Prince Harry admitted that he requested an autograph from Mike Tindall before Mike married into the royal family.The Earl and Countess of Wessex . Muffley, 40, was set to take an Allegiant flight from eastern Pennsylvania to Florida's . Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. "The first two shots were, Bang. The incident arose from a dispute between two rival Fort Pierce gang member, according to Hester, but he stressed it wasn't two gangs showing up to fight. RIGHT NOW AT 9:00 SHOTS RINGING OUT AT LEAST 12 PEOPLE AT A DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR DAY CELEBRATION ON THE TREASURE COAST SENDING HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE RUNNING FOR SAFETY. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. More:'I saw the gator grab her,' woman says after neighbor dies in alligator incident, More:Officer, device, give inside view of Vero Beach parking, nature of motorists | Opinion, More:Strawberry picking season is almost over. "(King) said for everyone, the nation should come together but not violence.". 72 teenagers aged 12-17 have died, and 165 injured. She suggested revamping the Roundtable of St. Lucie County's gang-prevention program to involve educators and School Board members in those discussions. Large police presence next to Ave. M and 13th St. in Fort Pierce. and last updated 7:53 AM, Jan 17, 2023. "Multiple people were shot, it sounds like from our initial investigation here on scene there was a disagreement of some sort between two parties, and unfortunately, they chose to resolve that with guns, said Hester. Corey Arwood. "You will be truly missed. Contributed by St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, Woman dies after being shot at MLK Day car show in Fort Pierce, sheriff confirms, Mass shooting at Fort Pierce MLK Day celebration leaves 1 dead, Witness describes 'scary' scene in which 8 were shot Monday in Fort Pierce, MLK Day shooting in Fort Pierce is the 30th mass shooting in U.S. so far this year, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. @stluciesheriff says there was a shooting. Just over two weeks into the new year, 16.7% of all mass shootings in the U.S. so far have happened in Florida. FORT PIERCE A man was arrested shortly after the fatal shooting of a 54-year-old Fort Pierce man during an argument in a game of dominoes . YOU CAN PEOPLE RUNNING, OTHERS HIDING BEHIND CARS. St. Lucie County Sheriff's office has confirmed eight people were wounded and one person is in critical condition after a shooting occurred during a car show at Ilouis Ellis Park on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. FOX 4 MORNING NEWS M-F 6-11AMSAT/SUN 7-9AM. Updated: Feb. 28, 2023 at 5:05 PM PST. Many of the . Partygoers scramble and try to get away as shots are fired at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration in Fort Pierce, Florida, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. I see people running in all different directions. YOU KNOW, OMAR LUTHER KING HOLIDAY SO I WAS ON THE PORCH AND I JUST HEARD THE GUNSHOTS JUST GOING OFF. She later died at a hospital from her injuries. The responding deputies rendered aid to victims shortly after the shooting Hester says they were not able to see who initially fired the shots. Loved ones say Bryant was one of the innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire in Fort Pierce's Ellis Park, shot in front of her 9-year-old daughter. Hester modified earlier assertions about the level of gang involvement in the shootings. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest local news on the Treasure Coast. 5 min read. FORT PIERCE St. Lucie County sheriff's detectives are investigating a shooting that left multiple people injured Monday during a Martin Luther King Jr. car show event. AT least eight people have been shot with one in critical condition after gunfire rang out at an MLK family event. MLK Day shooting:Woman dies after being shot at MLK Day car show in Fort Pierce, sheriff confirms, From the scene:Witness describes 'scary' scene in which 8 shot Monday in Fort Pierce, Here's what we know: Mass shooting at Fort Pierce MLK Day celebration leaves 8 shot, 1 dead. A 30-year-old woman has died following a shooting that broke out between rival gang members during a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event in Fort Pierce, sheriff's officials said Tuesday. MORNING. Johnson has a felony warrant related to violation of probation, and surrendered to authorities Wednesday at the Sheriff's Office, an official said. I was devastated by the news," he said. 1. Many of these gang members are young, teenage individuals, their minds haven't matured enough, and they think about only the moment and live in the moment.. SO WERE HOPING TO GET MORE DETAILS AS FAR AS ANY SOURCE FACTS AT THIS POINT OR WHERE POLICE ARE AT WITH THEIR INVESTIGATION. Creating a safe environment to do so is something that needs to be better, he added. WE CANT HANG OUT. St. Lucie Sheriff's Office has identified a person of interest in the MLK Day shooting incident that occurred Monday afternoon. MLK Day shooting:8 injured, 1 seriously, during shooting at Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in Fort Pierce, 'It was a lot of blood": Witnesses describe 'scary' scene in which 8 shot at MLK Day event in Fort Pierce, Perons of interest identified:New details discussed in MLK Day shootings at Ilous Ellis Park in Fort Pierce. Since then, the initiative has worked on fostering community pride, supporting other programs aimed at preventing prevent gun violence and creating youth-mentorship programs. NOW, THE SAINT LUCIE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE, THEY TELL THE MASS SHOOTING WAS A DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE, THOSE WHO LIVE BY NEAR HERE, THEY SEE THAT AFTERMATH OF ALL OF THIS IS REALLY THEM UP AT NIGHT. Visit the only U-pick on the Treasure Coast, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The shooting at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration in a park in Fort Pierce was the 30th mass shooting in the United States so far in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive. 'A lot of blood':Witnesses describe 'scary' scene in which 8 shot at MLK Day event in Fort Pierce. This is an ongoing investigation and the Sheriff's Office is actively working on leads, Woodworth said. AND INVESTIGATORS DO BELIEVE MORE THAN ONE SHOOTER WAS INVOLVED. All rights reserved. There were 35 murder-suicides. And then so many innocent people who were injured or hurt and were not part of the disagreement as well. Leonard Barron remembers Nikkitia Bryant, fatally shot at Martin Luther King Jr. Day event. Its the most people shot in one incident he can recall since joining the Sheriffs Office in 1998. FORT PIERCE The woman who died after a shooting incident on Martin Luther King Jr. Day was identified Wednesday as 29-year-old Nikkitia Bryant, of Fort Pierce, as two of seven others struck by gunfire remain hospitalized, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office. "Our community," Nash said, "deserves to grow old and be able to go to events here without having the fear of being shot.". FORT PIERCE, Fla. -- Eight people were injured in a shooting at a Martin Luther King Jr. event in Fort Pierce, Florida, the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office confirmed to CNN. FORT PIERCE, Fla. . Murray wants the shooting discussed by the Police Community Advisory Committee, which was created in 2018, just two years after Fort Pierce police shot and killedDemarcus Semer,a 21-year-old Black man,during a traffic stop. The sheriff's office says two deputies were at the event on a detail and were able to respond to the incident right away. ANOTHER FOUR PEOPLE WERE ALSO INJURED WHILE TRYING TO TAKE COVER, INCLUDING A CHILD. One person was killed, seven others were shot and at least four others, including a child, were injured while fleeing the shots that rang out around 5:20 p.m. Monday at Ilous Ellis Park. AZ International Auto Show & New Car Buyer's Guide 2020 Model Year, Witnesses describe 'scary' scene in which 8 shot at MLK Day event in Fort Pierce, Woman dies after being shot at MLK Day car show in Fort Pierce, sheriff confirms, Candlelight vigil for shooting victims 'a lighthouse' for a community, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. And more people hurt or killed. Public's help requested:Fort Pierce City Commission pleads for community to help solve MLK Day mass shooting, Contributors: Olivia McKelvey, Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers, C. A. Bridges is a Digital Producer for the USA TODAY Network, working with multiplenewsrooms across Florida.