032526 LibraryShooting JoshuaKodis 006 — PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

VERO BEACH — Vero Beach police located a pickup truck in South Beach Park believed to belong to a person of interest linked to a double-homicide of two county workers outside of the Indian River County library earlier on Tuesday, March 24. No arrests, however, have been made and police have not identified any potential suspects.

County officials identified the victims as Danny Ooley, assistant director of public works, and Stacie Mason, a traffic analyst technician.

“This is not a normal day for our organization. We recognize many of our employees are grieving, and we want them to take the time they need,” Indian River County Board Chairman Deryl Loar, along with Administrator John Titkanich, said in a joint statement. “Supporting one another during this moment is not optional. It is essential to who we are as a county.”

County officials said the fatal shooting that claimed the lives of its two employees was a “profound loss.”

“Danny and Stacie were not just employees, but colleagues and dedicated public servants who supported this community every day. Their absence is deeply felt across our organization and the community they served.”

Kelsea Callahan, a spokesperson for the Vero Beach Police Department, said officers found the bodies of two adults, along with several shell casings, in the north parking lot of the Indian River County Main Library.

“This was an isolated incident,” Callahan said. “There is no active threat to the public.”

Video by Nick Samuel

Police received multiple calls about gunfire 7 a.m. Tuesday outside the library in the 1600 block of 21st Street, north of State Road 60.

Police blocked off the area where the shooting occurred to search for evidence. The library – which ordinarily opens at 10 a.m. – was closed when gunfire erupted, Callahan said.

A grey-colored pickup with its rear passenger window shot out could be seen in the library’s parking lot. Officers spoke to witnesses who heard gunshots, according to Callahan.

The shooting happened across from First Baptist Church of Vero Beach, which has a preschool. First Baptist Church Preschool – which operates from 9 a.m. to noon and also has early morning drop off at 7:30 a.m. – was not open at the time of the shooting.

Police will be at the scene of the shooting for the next several hours, Callahan said.

Video by Nick Samuel

Callahan said a patrol officer spotted a silver Ford F-150 pickup truck belonging to the unidentified person of interest about 12:45 p.m. Tuesday in the parking lot of South Beach Park. Callahan said there was no one inside the truck.

“At that point, we shut the park down and set up a perimeter around the vehicle,” Callahan said. “We had SWAT, two drones, a helicopter and multiple officers on scene. We were able to get the drone inside of the vehicle and confirmed it was not occupied.”

Yellow crime scene tape could be seen roped around the Ford truck. Vero Beach and Sebastian officers – along with Indian River County deputies, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials and Indian River Shores officers – combed the area for any sign of the person of interest.

Police will remain at South Beach Park until they get a search warrant to look inside the pickup, Callahan said.

County officials thanked the Vero Beach Police Department and Indian River County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Loar and Titkanich said their priority is to support the families of Ooley and Mason and ensure county employees have access to care and counseling resources.

“Grief counselors and support services are available, and no one is expected to carry this alone,” county officials said.

“As our county heals from this tragedy, we know that Stacie and Danny would want us to continue working hard for the public. We will take care of one another in the days ahead. We will check in, we will carry this weight together, and we ask for the public’s patience and understanding as our employee’s grieve.”

Ooley was employed at the county’s public works department for nearly 25 years. His experience, leadership and commitment to service elevated him to the rank of assistant director, according to county officials.

“He earned the respect of his team and leaves a lasting impact on the county he served,” county officials said.

Mason worked for the county since 2014, most recently serving as a traffic analyst technician. Mason was known for her professionalism, reliability and positive presence she exuded to her team, according to the county.

“Her loss will be felt for years to come,” county officials said.

Police were expected to give more details on the double homicide at an 11 a.m. news conference Wednesday, March 25, at the Vero Beach Police Department.

Photos by Joshua Kodis