Crime & Safety
Mom Killed In Florida MLK Day Mass Shooting; Person Of Interest Detained: Police
Seven people were shot and four others were injured fleeing the gunfire during Monday's MLK Car Show & Family Fun Day in Fort Pierce.
FORT PIERCE, FL — A 29-year-old woman is dead after a disagreement between two groups at a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in Fort Pierce on Monday ended in gunfire, authorities said.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office also said Wednesday that authorities have detained a person of interest in connection with the shooting that injured four and left seven others with gunshot wounds.
The shooting happened at Ilous Ellis Park in Fort Pierce around 5:20 p.m. Monday, authorities said in a news release. On Wednesday, police said Nikkitia Bryant of Fort Pierce had died from her injuries.
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"Out of the other seven victims who were shot, two remain in the hospital, and they're in stable condition," Chief Deputy Brian Hester said during a news conference. "The others have all been released."
The shooting happened during the 772 MLK Car Show & Family Fun Day, which featured cars, live music, a bounce zone for children and more. The event serves as a way for the community to honor Dr. King, according to the city of Fort Pierce’s website.
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On Wednesday, authorities said they had detained 27-year-old Frederick Lamar Johnson Jr. as a person of interest in the case. Authorities claimed Johnson was present during the shooting and also was wanted on a felony warrant for violation of probation stemming from drug-related charges.
On Thursday, authorities cleared Johnson as a person of interest.
Nikkitia Bryant's mother said Bryant was attending the event with her three children when shots rang out.
"She was protecting her daughter from the gunfire when she got hit," her mother told KPTM.
Earlier this week, Hester described the shooting as "mass chaos." Four people were injured running from the gunfire, police said. A child was among those injured, according to TC Palm.
Video obtained by WPBF-TV showed people ducking, running and hiding behind cars, including a woman running to safety while holding a baby.
"There were a thousand plus people here at the event, and as the shots rang out, people were just running in all directions,” Hester said.
The sheriff’s office said two deputies at the event responded immediately and aided victims, WPBF-TV reported.
Authorities initially said the shooting took place between two rival gangs; however, police said Wednesday the shooting may have also involved people not affiliated with any gangs.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 772-462-7300 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 800-273-8477
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