INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Sheriff’s detectives identified several persons of interest in connection with a fatal Thursday shooting that left a 24-year-old man dead. Now, deputies are asking witnesses to the gunfire to come forward.
“We are committed to solving this murder and are hopeful that residents in the Gifford community will continue to come forward with information,” Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said in a statement.
Sheriff’s officials identified the victim as 24-year-old Robert Trusty III, whose last known address was in south Vero Beach. The motive for the gunfire was unclear.
The sheriff’s office received a 911 call reporting a fatal shooting about 8:50 p.m. Thursday in the 3100 block of 43rd Street, Gifford, not far from Macedonia Baptist Church. The incident occurred outside of a family home, sheriff’s officials said.
Trusty did not live at the home, but had family ties to the residence, Jaworski said.
Deputies arrived and found Trusty unresponsive with an apparent gunshot wound, said Sgt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Trusty was taken to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead, Jaworski said. Sheriff’s officials initially said Trusty was struck several times, but clarified on Friday that Trusty had one gunshot wound.
Crime scene detectives, a sheriff’s helicopter, patrol deputies and the Real-Time Crime Center worked throughout the night and into the early morning following up on leads, sheriff’s officials said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The sheriff’s office has investigated three fatal shootings so far for 2024, Jaworski said. The number does not include the July 28 deputy-involved shooting where a deputy fatally shot a man who swung at him with a knife.
Anyone who witnessed the recent shooting or has information should contact the sheriff’s office at 772-569-6700. Callers can remain anonymous by contacting Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS or tcwatch.org.
