GIFFORD — Charges have been dropped against a suspect arrested in connection to a shooting that took place Easter Sunday in Gifford.
The State Attorney’s Office has dropped charges against 21-year-old Julian Butler. The Sheriff’s Office has since released him from the county jail.
Butler had been identified by witnesses but further investigation revealed that Butler was not in the area at the time of the shooting.
Butler had faced charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, and discharging a firearm in public.
He was booked into the county jail after his attorney had arranged for Butler to turn himself in.
The Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into who fired shots in a crowd outside Smith Grocery on Easter Sunday, March 31.
Posted 9:46 p.m. April 13
GIFFORD — A suspect in the Easter night shooting in Gifford has turned himself in, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Julian Butler, 21, through his attorney, arranged to turn himself in. His attorney negotiating the arrangement with members of the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Section Saturday afternoon.
Butler was taken into custody at 6 p.m.
The case is still under investigation. The Sheriff’s Office is working to identify others involved in the shooting incident outside Smith’s Grocery on 45th Street that occurred Easter evening.
Posted 11:42 a.m. April 11
GIFFORD — The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office has received an arrest warrant for a suspect involved in the shooting outside Smith Grocery Easter night in Gifford.
Authorities are searching for Julian Michael Butler, 21, who has active warrants on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, and discharging a firearm in public.
Butler has connections to both Miami and St. Lucie County. The address on his driver’s license is from Miami but investigators have learned he may be staying in St. Lucie County.
Anyone with information on Butler’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office at (772) 978-6124 or (772) 978-6240. Those wishing to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward up to $1,000, can provide information through Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477 or www.tcwatch.org.
