Commissioners, residents mourn neighborhood shooting and call for support for first responders and victims

The commission meeting on May 20 included multiple emotional statements from commissioners and residents responding to a recent neighborhood shooting that left two people dead and another critically injured. Commissioners named the victims and urged the community to support families and first responders while investigators continue to develop the facts.

Commissioner Gaines and others described a tight‑knit neighborhood reeling from the violence and called for community engagement, increased mental‑health supports and local strategies to reduce shootings. Commissioners praised Fort Pierce Police Department officers and other first responders who quickly responded at the scene, and the city announced counseling resources for employees and community members. Several commissioners noted the possible role of narcotics‑related activity as an investigatory lead but stressed that the official investigation must run its course.

Mayor and commissioners encouraged residents to lean on available services and told staff to coordinate with county and school partners to extend trauma counseling in affected neighborhoods. The commission closed by asking staff to continue supporting families and first responders and by reiterating a request for community collaboration to prevent future violence.