Man charged in robbery, shooting; 2nd suspect sought

VERO BEACH — A 20-year-old man was detained in connection with a robbery turned shooting that happened earlier this month, as police continue to search for a second suspect, officials said.

Vero Beach police arrested Tyler Varenzio Mckenzie, of the 4800 block of 29th Avenue, Gifford, Tuesday on charges of armed robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. McKenzie was held Thursday at the Indian River County Jail on $200,000 bond.

Police were still searching for the second suspect, Joshua Lee Brown, 32, of the 4200 block of 31st Avenue, Gifford. Officers issued a warrant Monday for Brown’s arrest on a charge of armed robbery with a deadly weapon.

Police said McKenzie and Brown wore masks when they went inside a man’s apartment, stole two mason jars containing medical marijuana and ran. One of the men carrying a silver handgun shot the resident in the leg, but the arrest report did not clarify which suspect was the shooter.

Police responded to reports of a shooting about 10 a.m. Aug. 3 at Parkway Plaza parking lot in the 2000 block of 11th Avenue, Vero Beach. Officers saw a man limping and holding a towel between his legs, reports show.

Police said the bullet grazed the man’s right thigh, struck his inner left thigh and pierced through the back of his leg. The man said he chased the two suspects before he was shot, reports show.

Indian River County Fire Rescue took the man by ambulance to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute in Fort Pierce, Battalion Chief Kyle Kofke previously said. Police searched the man’s apartment for evidence.

Officers could still smell gun powder in the parking lot as they continued to investigate, reports show. Police obtained surveillance footage from nearby businesses that showed the two suspects running from the area.

Police arrested McKenzie and took him to the county jail. McKenzie has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. Oct. 1, court records show.

Police continue to search for Brown.