INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office is investigating multiple cases of violence from over the weekend. Two men were shot in separate incidents and a third was stabbed. A vehicle, too, was damaged in what is being called an arson.
The violence began in the early morning hours of Friday, May 4, in the 5700 block of 59th Avenue in the Winter Beach area. A 26-year-old man, identified as Johnkeith Carter was found with a single, non-life threatening gunshot wound and was taken to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Investigators learned a black sedan had been in the area, occupied by three black males. A vehicle matching the description was discovered engulfed in flames not long after in the 1800 block of Woodland Circle, approximately 4 miles away.
Indian River Fire Rescue and the Fire Marshall responded to the fire, which is now being investigated as an arson. The vehicle, according to authorities, is believed to have been the same one seen near where Carter was found.
The second incident happened less than 24 hours later in the 2400 block of 43rd Avenue, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Multiple gunshots were reported and witnesses provided a description of the suspect vehicle.
A victim, identified as 49-year-old Michael Ross, was discovered with a single non-life threatening gunshot wound and was also taken to Lawnwood Regional for treatment.
Authorities canvassed the area and located a vehicle that matched the description and performed a traffic stop. They arrested the driver, identified as 28-year-old Justin Aguilar. Inside the car, investigators found a weapon believed to have been used in the shooting.
“We continue to see violence and drugs go hand in hand,” Sheriff Deryl Loar said. “The witness statements in the case against Aguilar are the reason we were able to locate and arrest him so quickly. We need witnesses to come forward in other cases and give truthful statements about what they saw. Together, we can seek justice, just as we have in the arrest of Aguilar.”
Aguilar faces charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm in public, and shooting into an occupied vehicle, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Later that Saturday morning, authorities stopped another vehicle, which netted the seizure of marijuana and a concealed firearm, the Sheriff’s Office said. Authorities arrested Daraybron Taylor, 26, and Dwayne Taylor, 28. The Taylors both face charges that include marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession.
The weapon is being processed for DNA and ballistics to determine if it had been used in the shooting of Ross or other shooting incidents, such as the one Friday.
And, early Monday morning, deputies were called out to the 4300 block of 24th Court in Gifford in response to a stabbing. There, authorities discovered Alan Jennings, 37, who had two stab wounds.
He was taken to Lawnwood Regional. No other details regarding Jennings’ case were immediately released as detectives are continuing the investigation.
