A violent shooting occurred yesterday afternoon in Fort Pierce, turning what was purported to be an online marketplace transaction into a chaotic scene with four people shot. As reported by CBS12 News, the incident unfolded on the 3600 block of Avenue R in front of a vacant house, with law enforcement responding at approximately 1:15 p.m.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office was quick to arrive, securing the scene, and then in a collaboration with St. Lucie County Fire Rescue, they rendered aid to those injured. Two victims have been taken into surgery with two more scheduled, and a suspect may still be on the loose, based on witness accounts provided to authorities, and, shell casings peppered the ground around the site of the ambush.
Further investigation led detectives to a home on North 37th Street, where they executed a search warrant, uncovering multiple firearms including one possible candidate involved in the shooting, per information published by WPBF. The suspect implicated in the shooting had reportedly fled to this residence following the incident.
Undersheriff John Bolduc highlighted the transaction's violent turn, saying "This wasn't a random thing. This was a robbery of a transaction gone bad," as disclosed in an interview with CBS12 News. Deputies discovered more than 20 bullet shells in the vicinity and a Mercedes-Benz on the road riddled with bullet holes.
In the wake of the event, the Sheriff's Office urged the community to utilize "safe exchange zones" for online transactions, such as their headquarters in Fort Pierce which is equipped with cameras for this purpose, as per WPBF. Facebook Marketplace advises users to meet in public, well-lit areas, share meeting plans with friends through Messenger, and use live location sharing for security.
Authorities are seeking information from the public regarding the case and have asked anyone with knowledge to contact the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office at 772-462-7300 or to submit tips via email to [email protected].
