Fort Pierce Police on June 17 identified a 16-year-old boy who died after being shot days earlier as Kevin Searles, of Fort Pierce, a major said.
Kevin succumbed to his injuries June 15 following the June 11 shooting in the area of Avenue N and North 24th Street, according to police.
Police earlier reported a 16-year-old boy was arrested on attempted homicide, tampering with evidence and unlawful carry of a firearm by a person under 18-years-old charges.
Maj. Michael Santiago on June 17 said charges will be upgraded as investigators continue to work with the state attorney’s office.
St. Lucie County Sheriff’s officials about 9:15 p.m. June 11 were traveling east on Avenue N, and as they approached North 24th Street they reported hearing a number of gunshots about a block ahead of them, according to the sheriff’s office.
Detectives saw three boys “fleeing the area in different directions,” police stated.
“As they began to pursue the fleeing suspects, they discovered a juvenile male lying on the sidewalk suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and positioned on top of a bicycle,” the sheriff’s office stated.
That wounded teen had a 9mm carbine, the sheriff’s office stated.
Three youths were taken into custody and a second firearm believed to have been used in the incident was recovered, according to the sheriff’s office.
Santiago said investigators determined a group of juveniles met up to exchange something.
“Whether it’s guns, whether it’s property, we’re still trying to work through that,” Santiago said. “But they met up to exchange something, and at some point a shooting occurs.”
Santiago cited factors including video surveillance, who was at the scene and running from the scene and statements made by those involved when asked about evidence supporting the 16-year-old’s arrest.
Santiago stated there was no evidence at the scene to indicate an exchange of gunfire.
He said four bicycles were there when law enforcement officials arrived, one of which belonged to Kevin. Three people were found running away.
“At least four people were at the scene of the shooting,” Santiago said.
Santiago said there appears to have been online communication prior to the meeting, and investigators are researching that.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Police in Florida identify 16-year-old who died after shooting
Reporting by Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers | USA TODAY Network
