COCOA, Fla. – A 1-year-old girl in a stroller was injured when gunfire erupted in a Brevard County neighborhood, the sheriff’s office said.
Heavy law enforcement responded to the area of South Burnett Road and Catalina Drive on Tuesday.
According to Sheriff Wayne Ivey, the incident happened around 1:30 p.m. when a male and female couple, pushing a baby stroller, entered the Cocoa Meat & Produce. Shortly after, a black Mercedes pulled up, and several individuals exited the vehicle.
[Watch Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey speak about shooting in a news conference]
As the couple emerged from the store, gunfire erupted, with three individuals exchanging shots. According to Ivey, 50 rounds were fired during the altercation, targeting the couple and their child.
“The female subject was pushing the baby stroller, actually left the baby there, ran away, and then after the shooting had stopped, came back,” said Ivey.
According to Ivey, the child was struck in the pelvic area, transported to the hospital, underwent surgery, and is in stable condition.
Ivey also said the three shooters in the Mercedes are at large, and the shooting appears to be linked to an ongoing feud. One of the shooters has been identified, but no names have been released at this time.
“These individuals don’t care about anything. They’re evil,” said Ivey. “They not only put that toddler at risk but also endangered other people nearby. This is just a bunch of individuals acting stupid and doing very stupid things.”
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact Crime Line at 1-800-423-TIPS.
Deputies said that a male who was with the child was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor and that the investigation in ongoing related to other people who may have been involved in the incident.
The sheriff’s office originally reported the child’s age as 2, but clarified on Wednesday that they are actually 1.