UPDATE: Investigator says St. Ed’s employee ‘courted’ student

Student arrested after gun found in backpack at SRHS

SEBASTIAN — An 11th grade student was arrested after an unloaded handgun was found in his backpack Wednesday at Sebastian River High School, school district and sheriff's officials said. The incident prompted extra law enforcement officers to be stationed throughout the campus as a precaution. "This student has been detained by the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, is in custody, and will not return as a student at Sebastian River High School," School District of Indian River County officials said in a statement. "We are thankful for the individual who came forward with the initial report, and for our school resource deputies and other Indian River County Sheriff's officers for responding promptly." The student - a boy - told deputies ...

Deputies ID victim in fatal Sunday shooting; investigation continues

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Deputies identified 25-year-old Justin Bechtold, of Sebastian, as the man fatally shot Sunday in south Vero Beach. On Wednesday, deputies asked anyone with information on the homicide case to come forward. "If you or anyone you know may have seen or heard any unusual vehicles, persons, incidents, or have information that you believe would help in our ongoing investigation, please email Detectives at [email protected] or call 772-978-6188," sheriff's officials said in a statement Wednesday. Details on the suspected shooter - who remains unidentified - were not available. "We are actively pursuing leads to identify the shooter. We do not have a suspect in custody," Indian River County Sheriff's spokesperson Debbie Carson said late Wednesday. "This was ...

Man shot in foot in Gifford

GIFFORD — A man was hurt late Tuesday after unknown suspects shot at a vehicle he was in, with one bullet striking him in the foot, deputies said. Two other people who were also in the vehicle were not hurt, deputies said. It was unclear if a suspect was in custody. Indian River County deputies responded to reports of a shooting about 8 p.m. in the 3900 block of 47th Street. The man was riding in a vehicle when several people who were standing outside began firing at the automobile, deputies said. The man and the other two people in the vehicle rode to 34th Avenue, where they called 911, officials said. The man was taken to a hospital with ...