VERO BEACH — Police were still searching for unidentified suspects who they said sprayed at least a dozen rounds outside Irish American Club, killing a 27-year-old Port St. Lucie man. The man killed early Sunday was identified by police as Patrick Casimir.
“These individuals (suspects) were outside shooting at close range toward the victim,” Vero Beach police Chief David Currey said during a Monday news conference outside of the agency. “Rounds did enter the building and broke through glass and the wall. One or more rounds went into the roof. There were people still inside.”
.@VeroBeachPD Chief David Currey gives update on early Sunday shooting in #VeroBeach. #VeroNews pic.twitter.com/xTPaf4fDBE
— Nicholas Samuel (@JournalistNickS) March 28, 2022
About 150 people, including partygoers and staff members, were inside the facility in downtown Vero Beach when gunfire erupted, Currey said. Casimir, who was unarmed and outside, was struck four times.
Nobody on the inside was hit by the bullets, police said.
“There was more than one type of round recovered,” Currey said. Casimir’s autopsy was scheduled for Monday.
The incident was one of three shootings to happen in Indian River County over the weekend. It was unclear if the Sunday incident was a random act or targeted.
What happened
Police responded to reports of a shooting about 1:30 a.m. Sunday at the Irish American Club in the 1300 block of 20th Street. A private event honoring the life of Curtis Lee – an Indian River County motorcyclist killed in a crash last year near U.S. 1 and 45th Street – was taking place inside the building, Currey said.
It was unknown if Casimir was there for the private event. The Irish American Club has a security guard, but it was unclear if the person was working at the time of the shooting, Currey said.
Currey said witnesses had already left the area before officers arrived. It was not immediately known if witnesses saw any suspicious vehicles leaving the scene.
“Witnesses weren’t there when we arrived,” Currey said. “A lot of information is coming in now and from yesterday.”
Officers found Casimir lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. Casimir was taken to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead, police said.
Police were working to obtain surveillance footage from inside of the Irish American Club and from nearby businesses. Staff at the Irish American Club told police there were no issues inside the building before the shooting.
Officers continue to investigate the incident and search for suspects.
Those with more information on the shooting should call the police department at 772-978-4600. Callers can remain anonymous by contacting Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS or tcwatch.org.
“If you saw something or heard something, contact us or Crime Stoppers and share that information. That would be helpful,” Currey said.
