Celebratory Gunfire Led to 5 Arrests, 1 Injury, Cops Say

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A 17-year-old girl is recovering from a gunshot wound following a New Year’s incident in St. Petersburg. That shooting was just one of several reported in the city related to celebratory gunfire.

According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, the first incident happened around 12:14 a.m. Friday at 1110 32nd St. S. The girl, police wrote in an email to media, was struck in the upper right thigh. The bullet, police said, pierced the girl’s skin and exited about an inch away.

“The wound was consistent with that of a bullet falling from the sky,” the email said.

The girl told police she was standing in the backyard with two friends watching fireworks when she felt something hit her leg. When she looked down, she realized she was bleeding. The girl also said she heard gunshots in the area, but couldn’t determine what direction the sounds came from.

The teen was treated and released from Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.

The bullet, police noted, was not recovered.

St. Petersburg Police also made arrests in two separate celebratory gunfire incidents unrelated to the teen’s shooting.

The first case unfolded around 12:30 a.m. at 2609 3rd Ave. S. A call came in at that time about several people with guns. When officers approached, they heard shots being fired and proceeded to find four men, two with rifles.

When police approached the four, the men tried to run, an email said, but police caught up with them. A rifle, one carbine and one handgun were recovered.

“Numerous shell casings lined 3rd Avenue South indicating that the suspects had been engaged in celebratory gunfire,” the email said. “One of the firearms was discovered to be stolen.”

The four men were arrested. They are:

Jararski Ra’sharde Sandy, 28, of St. Petersburg

• Charges: Improper Exhibition of a Firearm and Obstruction

Samuel Madison Lavine, 19, of St. Petersburg

• Charges: Possession of Marijuana and Obstruction

Arron Jordon Woody, 26, of St. Petersburg

• Charges: Obstruction

Elijah Dreshaud Johnson, 20, of St. Petersburg

• Charges: Grand Theft of a Firearm, Improper Exhibition of a Firearm and Obstruction

When police approached the man, he refused to speak with them about the rifle, the email said. Aaron Rodriguez Hinson, 32, was ultimately charged with obstruction and for being a felon in possession with a firearm.

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