Suspect held in Tampa in MLK day shooting that left young mother dead

FORT PIERCE, Fla (CBS12) — The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office says U.S. Marshals arrested a suspect in the MLK Day shooting that left a young mother dead.

The suspect is identified as Kemmye Riccardo Parson. The 28-year-old is being held at the Hillsborough County Jail. Authorities arrested him Friday morning at around 8:35 a.m. in Tampa.

Sheriff Ken J. Mascara said Parson has been charged with attempted first degree murder, murder with a firearm, second degree murder and possession of a firearm and/or ammunition by a convicted felon.

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Authorities said the shooting grew out of a dispute between two people at Ilous Ellis Park on Jan. 16.

Nikkitia Bryant, 29, was caught in the crossfire and killed. She was at the MLK event with her 9-year-old daughter and other children.

"Let's not forget also there were seven other victims shot during that horrific incident, four others were injured as they tried to escape the chaos, that's what it was chaos from the scene, and only by the grace of god we don't have seven other pictures lined up here," Mascara said.

The sheriff's office didn't call it a gang-related shooting, but said the two people involved were gang members. Deputies are looking for more suspects.

"We'll get to the bottom of it. We'll give you motive when all of them are arrested," Mascara said.

Since the MLK Day shooting Mascara said the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office has worked with county commissioners to install cameras in St. Lucie County parks that have been plagued with gun violence. The parks include Pepper Park on North Beach, Lakewood Park Stadium and Stan Blum Boat Ramp.

"We currently are in the bid process with two companies to supply and install these cameras, we're waiting for that bid to come back and we'll start in that process," Mascara said.

Mascara said Bryant was described as being an intelligent woman who aspired to become a nurse. She was a mother and a hairdresser, Mascara said.

"All those dreams and aspiration we'll never see her achieve because of this reckless act in the park that day," Mascara said.

Bryant's mother spoke during the news conference and said she is thankful law enforcement caught the shooter that was involved. She also urged anyone with any additional information to come forward.

Bryant's mother said if she could say anything to her daughter it would be, "I love you, I miss you... baby sleep peacefully."

A friend of Bryant said, at the news conference, Bryant's daughter had just celebrated her 10th birthday. She said Bryant's daughter had to hear her mother tell her happy birthday through a teddy bear.