INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — An autopsy on 27-year-old Dominique Dawson confirmed he died of a gunshot wound, according to Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Eric Flowers.
The location of the gunshot wound, Flowers said, may be critical to ongoing investigation, and therefore has not yet been released.
Flowers said law enforcement is still looking for one or more persons who might have been involved in a disturbance with Dawson on Tuesday prior to his death.
According to an official statement, “Detectives continue to search for clues today that will lead them to Dawson’s killer.”
This article was first published at 9:04 a.m. May 28, 2014.
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office has released the identity of the body found early Wednesday morning in Gifford.
The victim is Dominique Dawson, 27, of Gifford, according to Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Eric Flowers.
Dawson was struck with a small caliber bullet. Sgt. Flowers declined to provide any other details, including where the bullet struck Dawson.
A full autopsy is scheduled for Thursday morning. The cause of death will be determined following the autopsy and cause of death could be released shortly thereafter.
Detectives have learned of a possible disturbance that occurred some time earlier this week between Dawson and an unidentified subject, according to authorities. Details of the disturbance are still being sought and any witnesses to the disturbance are asked to come forward.
The Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that was reported in Gifford this morning, according to Sgt. Flowers.
The Medical Examiner is on scene working with detectives to determine a cause of death, according to authorities.
Authorities are treating the incident as a homicide.
“The investigation is still very early,” said Lt. Tony Consalo, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations. “We believe there was a disturbance early in the evening (Tuesday) between the victim and an unknown subject.”
An unidentified black male was found dead near 44th Place and 38th Avenue, according to authorities. The area between 38th and 39th Avenue is currently closed, authorities are urging people to avoid this area.
Though Consalo said there may have been reports of gunshots or gunshot wounds in the initial 911 call, he could not confirm nor deny any weapon used on the victim.
“When we arrived on scene, we determined that the male was deceased, but there were no visible signs of blood, trauma, or a gunshot wound,” said Sgt. Michael Pierce, of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Neighbors gathered just outside the crime scene tape to await new information to be released. They said the first disturbance they heard on the block was this morning when law enforcement arrived.
Shirley Rosemond, victim assistance coordinator, was on scene communicating via phone with family members of the victim.
“It’s a matter of having compassion with someone in the time of loss,” Rosemond said. “We’re here to help the families walk through what happens next. During this process there are a lot of times where families have never had to go through anything like this before, and we just want to make sure that they’re equipped with all the necessary tools.”
Rosemond, who has been working in this capacity in Indian River County since 2003, continued, “If it were me, I’d want someone to be here for me in my time of need. We never know when our time is going to come.”
“Our men and women are on scene now trying to determine what happened last night. If you witnessed anything or have information about this case, please call our detectives,” Sheriff Deryl Loar.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Christopher Anderson at (772) 978-6106 or Sergeant Nancy McNally at (772) 978-6100 in reference to case number 2014-90762. You can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 by calling the Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 800-273-TIPS (8477).
This article will be updated when more information becomes available.