GIFFORD — Two of the three shootings that occurred over Easter weekend in the Gifford area of Indian River County might be related, Sheriff Deryl Loar said Monday. One person was killed in an unrelated shooting and six others were injured in the two possibly related shootings.
Authorities are continuing their investigations into the shootings and are encouraging suspects to turn themselves in.
“Our plea today is for our victims and our witnesses to cooperate with law enforcement,” Sheriff Loar said. “That is how we’re going to make this community continue to be success. We’ve got to have witnesses come forward and talk about what’s going on in the community.”
The latest shooting occurred Sunday night outside Smith’s Grocery near the 3200 block of 45th Street where five people were injured, including a 1-year-old who was struck by flying glass.
One of the five victims from Sunday night was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in West Palm Beach for treatment.
None of the victims or suspects have been identified, though investigators have spoken with them.
Sheriff Loar said the shooting might have been sparked by an incident that occurred the night before at the Shake Your Booty nightclub, after which one person was shot. He said there was a verbal altercation at the club that sparked the drive-by shooting later in the evening near the 3400 block of 45th Street.
That person, who has not been publicly identified, was transported to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center for treatment.
The sheriff said the shootings involved a relationship between a young lady and young men and possibly alcohol and/or drugs – “That is a recipe for not a good night.”
Sheriff Loar said a crowd of a few hundred people had gathered outside Smith’s Grocery on 45th Street Sunday evening following a car show at the Gifford Community Center. He said it is common for crowds to gather at various businesses following community events.
He said the shooting involved two suspects from the Ft. Pierce area with a “score to settle” with two brothers from Gifford. The altercation began as a fist fight that escalated into a gunfight.
“There will be arrests coming,” Sheriff Loar said, adding that there is overwhelming evidence to support the arrests.
Indian River County NAACP representative Tony Brown encouraged his community to help the Sheriff’s Office in its investigation.
“We’re tired of the things that are going on in our community,” he said. “If you’re concerned about being a snitch, tell me and I’ll be a snitch for you.”
Rev. Benny Rhyant, president of the Indian River County Pastor’s Association asked that the public not make a knee-jerk reaction, instead wait to get all the information first.
He also encouraged the citizens to get involved in the community – not just when an incident happens, but every day.
The first shooting, which is not believed to be related to the other two, occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, March 30, and involved either brothers or step-brothers. The Sheriff’s Office is still investigating their relationship.
The shooting victim was identified as John Ross, 29. His brother or step-brother, 24-year-old Scott Collins, has been named a person of interest.
“We certainly have our eyes on” the person of interest, Sheriff Loar said.
Collins was arrested on a drug possession charge after investigators found cocaine in his home, where the shooting took place.
The sheriff said more charges are pending the investigation of evidence found at the scene.
Anyone with information regarding any of the three shootings over Easter weekend is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 772-569-6700.
