Fort Pierce city officials are grappling with the aftermath of a weekend of violence that claimed three lives, including an exchange of gunshots with police that left the gunman dead. In a city commission meeting on Monday, leaders not only honored the victims but also conveyed the ripple effects of the tragedies on the community. According to WFLX, Mayor Linda Hudson and several commissioners acknowledged the emotional toll and recognized that solutions to the problem of gun violence are as elusive as they are necessary.
"It affects the families, it affects the neighborhood, and it affects the whole city," said Mayor Linda Hudson, her sentiments echoed by a community in mourning. With the recent events still fresh, Fort Pierce leaders including Commissioner Curtis Johnson Jr., are closely touched by the violence, being familiar with the victims and their families. This connection heightens a sense of personal loss and the urgency to find solutions, as noted CBS12 News.
Among the victims was 24-year-old Devin Bradley, a valued member of the Fort Pierce Police Department's IT Department, whose death was mourned by colleagues and commissioners alike. Commissioner Johnson referred to him as "a great young man" and acknowledged the invaluable work he did for the police department. The grief is compounded as Bradley's grandfather, known as a local minister, now bears the sorrow of losing a grandson.
Fort Pierce Police linked the perpetrator of the police-involved shooting, 28-year-old Bernard Smith, to a nearby car theft that escalated into Saturday's fatal exchange of gunfire. His criminal history, outlined by FPPD's Major Michael Santiago, included a recent gun charge, as WFLX reported. Adding to the complexity of the case, police are probing into whether the other shootings over the weekend, which left two other victims dead, are connected to Smith's actions.
In response to the tragedies, city leaders confirmed that grief counselors will be made available for all city employees, including the Fort Pierce Police Department staff. Mayor Hudson emphasized the need for openness and the intent to assist both the public and the city employees in understanding the incidents as thoroughly as possible.
