Palm Bay shooting: 4 teenagers shot at apartment complex; no suspects arrested
PALM BAY, Fla. - A group of teenagers were shot at an apartment complex in Palm Bay Monday night, police said.
Officers with the Palm Bay Police Department responded to The Park at Palm Bay apartments, near San Filippo Drive, around 8:30 p.m. for a report of shots fired and found four gunshot victims: two 15-year-olds, a 14-year-old and an 18-year-old.
They all had non-life-threatening injuries, officers said.
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Lt. Michael Roberts, public information officer with the Palm Bay Police Department, said investigators are still trying to establish a motive for the shooting. Authorities said they have no information to believe the shooting was gang-related.
Neighbors say they saw police at the complex all night and they didn’t leave until around 5 a.m. on Tuesday. They’re devastated and shocked something like this happened in their quiet community.
"Nobody deserves to be shot," said a neighbor who didn’t want to show her face on camera.
She said she heard about eight gunshots. Other people weren’t sure what the commotion was all about.
"Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop – several pops, assumed that it was just firecrackers," added Cathy Neale who also lives in the complex and has been there for 10 years.
Both residents are concerned about gun violence in the community.
"Today, everyone wants to brandish a gun. Gun – gun – gun – gun. There needs to be stricter laws on this. They’re just handing out guns like candy, and it’s a shame," Neale said.
Neale says the entire ordeal made her "sick over it. I do not like guns, any part of them and they do not belong in our society."
Those who knew the family describe them as kind and reserved.
They were seen as "very nice people," by someone who lived across the parking lot. "They don’t come outside that often. I don’t see them associating with a lot of people," they said.
The community hopes police find who’s responsible fast and justice is served.
"Society today, it’s horrible," Neale concluded.
At this time, no arrests have been made.
Investigators are asking for anyone with information to contact them at 321-952-3463 or contact Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).