A fatal shooting in Fort Pierce led to a man's death and five individuals being detained, authorities say. The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, under the command of Sheriff Richard Del Toro, confirmed the arrest of 29-year-old Carlos Covarrubias on charges related to the possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon. The shooting occurred on Edwards Road and South 23rd Street at around 12:20 p.m. yesterday, reportedly involving multiple parties who got out of a car and exchanged gunfire.
The sheriff's office was quick to act, as reported by CBS12, with a sergeant responding to witness reports to promptly take a person into custody who was found walking away from a vehicle riddled with bullet holes. Covarrubias was identified as a suspect the following morning after the execution of two search warrants the previous night. While it remains to be determined whether the deceased, identified as 27-year-old Edson Sainnatus, was a target or an innocent bystander, Sheriff Del Toro assured, "The arrest made is an important step forward, but this remains an active investigation. We are committed to pursuing every lead to ensure justice is served for the victim and their loved ones."
According to a WPBF report, the law enforcement presence was noticeable as the investigation widened to include areas of Edwards Road and Nicholas Road, where another vehicle was discovered in a ditch. Del Toro outlined the complexity of the situation, stating, "We're looking at video. We're looking at a lot of different evidence right now. Talking to a lot of different witnesses who were out here. It all happened very fast. And obviously, you can imagine what it must have been like when a lot of gunfire happens, what it could have been like."
Following the incident, local residents were advised to secure their homes as a precaution while the search and investigation were underway, with the sheriff's aviation unit and K-9 units being deployed. While five individuals have since been taken into custody and several firearms have been secured at the scene, the precise sequence of events and motive behind the shooting has to still be thoroughly pieced together. The investigation continues with detectives collecting video evidence and conducting interviews. Meanwhile, Covarrubias has been placed in the St. Lucie County Jail, with the SLCSO underscoring the incident as an ongoing investigation.
