Police Clear Person Of Interest In FL MLK Day Mass Shooting

FORT PIERCE, FL — Authorities have cleared a person of interest detained in connection with a deadly shooting at a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in Fort Pierce earlier this week.

The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said 27-year-old Frederick Lamar Johnson Jr. turned himself in to authorities Wednesday afternoon. After speaking with Johnson, authorities said detectives determined that "Johnson is no longer a person of interest at this time."

Johnson was wanted on a felony warrant for violation of probation, which stemmed from drug-related charges. He was booked into St. Lucie County Jail without bond, police said.

Johnson was cleared in the shooting that took place around 5:20 p.m. Monday at Ilous Ellis Park in Fort Pierce, authorities said in a news release.

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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 the late civil rights leader, according to the city of Fort Pierce’s website.

Nikkitia Bryant, 29, of Fort Pierce, was killed in the shooting. Seven others suffered gunshot wounds and four others were injured while fleeing the shooting, authorities said.

Earlier this week, Chief Deputy Brian 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.