VERO BEACH — One person is dead after being shot at a local gas station.
A homeless man was shot after he pulled a knife on another person at the gas station and that person shot him, according to Vero Beach Police Spokeswoman Ofc. Anna Carden.
The homeless man was making “stabbing motions” at the time of the shooting, which occurred around 11:39 p.m. Wednesday at the Sunoco station in the 1900 block of U.S. 1, according to authorities.
Robert Steven Rock, 53, has been identified as the homeless man who was the aggressor in the attack, according to Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey. He was declared dead at the Indian River Medical Center at 12:21 a.m. Police have still not found next of kin. The person who shot him has been identified at Shawntavious Banner, of Fort Pierce, according to authorities. He was assisting a family member with a tire repair in the Sunoco parking lot.
Banner had just finished helping a relative change a flat tire when Rock, who was sleeping on the property, woke up and started accusing the victim and his wife of “stealing his stuff.”
He got into his vehicle when Rock grabbed his arm through the open window and tried to stab him. The man grabbed his gun, which was near the driver’s seat, and fired one shot, striking Rock in his upper torso.
Authorities said Banner holds a valid concealed weapons permit.
All interviews have been completed and no arrests have been made.
