Cops Say 8 Injured During Shooting at MLK Event in Florida

At least eight people have been shot in Fort Pierce in Florida after a shooting during a Martin Luther King Day event, police confirmed. The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Monday night that detectives were on scene investigating a shooting incident that occurred near Ave. M and 13th Street in Fort Pierce earlier that day. Chief Deputy Brian Hester revealed that at approximately 5:20 p.m., a “disagreement between two parties resulted in 8 gunshot victims.” One of those individuals is in critical condition while another four were injured as they were fleeing the scene, he said. “Today, Chief Deputy Hester and I were honored to be in the Martin Luther King Jr. parade along Martin Luther King Blvd. Sadly, within hours of that parade ending, we are investigating a shooting in a county park located at Avenue M and 13th Street in which 8 people have been shot,” said Sheriff Ken Mascara. The shooting began Monday afternoon at the Ilous Ellis Park at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day “car show and family fun day,” the city’s website said, describing a day of “live music, local car show, kids bounce zone, and more to honor and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” At least 1000 people were in attendance when shots rang out, according to WPBF. The sheriff’s office told CNN a motive at this stage was unclear and did not say if any suspects are in custody. However, WPBF reports the Sheriff’s office is following up on several leads. The identities of those injured are currently unknown but according to WPBF, all shooting victims are adults, citing the sheriff’s office. A juvenile and another adult were injured in the chaos that followed. Footage posted to social media shows people fleeing the scene and caring for those injured. If you have any information related to this incident, please contact detectives or call Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477.