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Suspect arrested in MLK Day shooting that left 1 dead, 11 others injured

Suspect arrested in MLK Day shooting that left 1 dead, 11 others injured
JAY, THE SHERIFF TELLS ME THAT THE SUSPECT IS NOT TELLING THEM MUCH AT THIS TIME. RIGHT NOW, THEY DO UNDERSTAND THERE ARE MANY PIECES OF THIS CASE. AND THE SHERIFF VOWS THAT HE WILL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT WITH THE REST OF THE SUSPECT. OUR WORK IS NOT DONE. THIS HAS JUST BEGUN. ST LUCIE COUNTY SHERIFF KEN MASCARA ANNOUNCED THAT U.S. MARSHALS ARRESTED THIS MAN, KIMMY RICARDO PARSON, AT A HOTEL IN TAMPA LAST FRIDAY. OFFICIALS SAY THEIR INVESTIGATION FOUND THE ACCUSED SHOOTER RESPONSIBLE FOR 29 YEAR OLD NICK KISHORE BRYANT’S DEATH. HIS CHARGES INCLUDE ATTEMPT AT FIRST DEGREE MURDER. MURDER WITH A FIREARM, SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND POSSESSION OF A FIREARM OR AMMUNITION BY A CONVICTED FELON. THE VICTIM AND HER DAUGHTER WERE CELEBRATING AT ELLIS. ELLIS PARK ON MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY BEFORE THE FIRE BROKE OUT AT THE PARK, INJURING 11 OTHER PEOPLE. INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY DON’T BELIEVE IT WAS GANG RELATED. AND SINCE THEN, SAINT LUCIE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN WORKING TO INSTALL VIDEO CAMERAS IN FIVE PARKS AND HAVE ALSO BANNED THE TWO MLK. BUT PROMOTERS FOR FALSIFYING THEIR APPLICATIONS. THEY FAILED TO NOTIFY THE COUNTY THAT THE SECURITY DETAIL WAS CANCELED. THEY FAILED TO NOTIFY US. AS FOR PARSON, HE IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND AT THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY JAIL AWAITING EXTRADITION. THE SHERIFF SAYS THERE IS A $10,000 REWARD AND IS CALLING FOR THE COMMUNITY TO COME FORWARD WITH ANY INFORMATION. WE WANT TO KNOW WHO THE OTHER PEOPLE WERE IN THE PARK THAT SHOT THAT DAY. WE WANT TO KNOW IF THERE’S VIDEO OR PHOTOS OUT THERE THAT OUR COMMUNITY STILL HAS THAT THEY HAVEN’T SHARED. WE NEED IT. WE WANT IT. AND IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE TREASURE COAST, CRIME STOPPERS OR THE ST LUCIE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE. REPORTING LIVE IN FORT PIE
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Suspect arrested in MLK Day shooting that left 1 dead, 11 others injured
The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man for the deadly shooting that took place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Ilous Ellis Park.Related: Organizers of Martin Luther King Jr. event in Fort Pierce where mass shooting that place terminatedAccording to Sheriff Ken Mascara, Kemmye Riccardo Parson, 28, was arrested Friday, March 17, in Tampa, Florida. "He was located and arrested by U.S. Marshals. His charges include attempted first-degree murder, murder with a firearm, second-degree murder and possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon," Mascara said in a news conference Monday afternoon. Nikkitia Bryant, 29, was killed in the mass shooting while she was attending the event in Fort Pierce with her now 10-year-old daughter. Family members told WPBF 25 News that she was standing at a food truck when she was shot in the abdomen — and her child saw it all. St. Lucie County deputies said seven other adults were shot, and four people were injured, including a child. Officials believe the shooting was between at least two people and that some are documented gang members.The sheriff, however, said on Monday that he doesn't believe the motive of the shooting was gang-related.As for Parson, he is currently being held without bond at the Hillsborough County Jail, awaiting extradition to St. Lucie County. Watch: Fort Pierce teens speak out after mass shooting "There’s still a $10,000 reward out there for any other information that our community feels important," the sheriff said. "We want to know who the other people were in the park that shot that day, we want to know if there’s video or photos out there that our community still has that they haven’t shared. We need it, we want it."Since the tragedy, St. Lucie County commissioners have been working on acquiring security cameras in five parks. The sheriff said they are in the bidding process with a couple of companies. Additionally, the sheriff said the two event promoters of the MLK celebration in Fort Pierce have been banned. "They are banned from leasing any county facility," Mascara said. "They failed to notify the county that their security detail was canceled. They failed to notify us."Officials also said the promoters indicated in their application that alcohol would not be served. However, the sheriff said they discovered there was a beer truck at the event. Investigators said that with the arrest, they want to remind the community that the most important part is remembering Bryant and bringing justice for her family. FULL AUDIO: Officials release Fort Pierce mass shooting 911 calls"With the arrest of the suspect, our work is not done. This has just begun," the sheriff said. Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477. Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man for the deadly shooting that took place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Ilous Ellis Park.

Related: Organizers of Martin Luther King Jr. event in Fort Pierce where mass shooting that place terminated

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According to Sheriff Ken Mascara, Kemmye Riccardo Parson, 28, was arrested Friday, March 17, in Tampa, Florida.

"He was located and arrested by U.S. Marshals. His charges include attempted first-degree murder, murder with a firearm, second-degree murder and possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon," Mascara said in a news conference Monday afternoon.

Kemmye Riccardo Parsons
Hearst Owned

Nikkitia Bryant, 29, was killed in the mass shooting while she was attending the event in Fort Pierce with her now 10-year-old daughter.

Family members told WPBF 25 News that she was standing at a food truck when she was shot in the abdomen — and her child saw it all.

St. Lucie County deputies said seven other adults were shot, and four people were injured, including a child. Officials believe the shooting was between at least two people and that some are documented gang members.

The sheriff, however, said on Monday that he doesn't believe the motive of the shooting was gang-related.

As for Parson, he is currently being held without bond at the Hillsborough County Jail, awaiting extradition to St. Lucie County.

Watch: Fort Pierce teens speak out after mass shooting

"There’s still a $10,000 reward out there for any other information that our community feels important," the sheriff said. "We want to know who the other people were in the park that shot that day, we want to know if there’s video or photos out there that our community still has that they haven’t shared. We need it, we want it."

Since the tragedy, St. Lucie County commissioners have been working on acquiring security cameras in five parks. The sheriff said they are in the bidding process with a couple of companies.

Additionally, the sheriff said the two event promoters of the MLK celebration in Fort Pierce have been banned.

"They are banned from leasing any county facility," Mascara said. "They failed to notify the county that their security detail was canceled. They failed to notify us."

Officials also said the promoters indicated in their application that alcohol would not be served. However, the sheriff said they discovered there was a beer truck at the event.

Investigators said that with the arrest, they want to remind the community that the most important part is remembering Bryant and bringing justice for her family.

FULL AUDIO: Officials release Fort Pierce mass shooting 911 calls

"With the arrest of the suspect, our work is not done. This has just begun," the sheriff said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477.

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