The Fort Pierce Police Department has killed a suspect in an officer-involved shooting. FPPD has also found two others fatally wounded. FPPD reports that officers responded to multiple 911 calls about a possible shooting victim in the area of North 24th Street and Avenue M around 11 a.m. on May 18.
Officers arrived at the scene and began providing care to the victim. At some point, officers heard gunshots nearby and attempted to locate the person shooting the weapon. FPPD reports that officers encountered 28-year-old Bernard Smith in the 1600 block of North 25th Street near Avenue P.
Smith exchanged gunfire with officers before being fatally injured. None of the officers were injured. FPPD officers and St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office deputies searched the area and found two other shooting victims. Two victims succumbed to their injuries.
The third was transported to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in serious condition. At this time, the identities of the victims will not be released.
Jay Skelton is an independent crime journalist with a passion for covering the uncovered and the under covered.