BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – One person was arrested after a shooting that erupted outside a Brevard County store last week injured a 1-year-old in a stroller, according to the sheriff’s office.
An arrest warrant was issued for Xavier Thomas, 32, who was arrested Monday in connection with the shooting outside Cocoa Meat & Produce.
According to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting happened on May 13 when a black Mercedes pulled up to the store and several people got out of the vehicle. Shortly before, a couple pushing a stroller with the 1-year-old went into the store.
After the couple got out of the store, three people exchanged gunfire, targeting the couple and the baby, according to Sheriff Wayne Ivey. The sheriff’s office said the shooting appeared to be linked to an ongoing feud.
An arrest affidavit released Tuesday reads that the teen male who came to the store with the baby recognized one of the three gunmen because he had some kind of problem with the teen’s brother.
The affidavit states along with the baby, the teen was shot in his leg, as well.
On the scene, Sheriff Ivey said only the baby had been shot.
Thomas is not one of the original three shooters sought, but the sheriff’s office said he did shoot at whom they shot at, as well.
The affidavit reads that Thomas told deputies he was in his truck when the shooting started and thought he was going to get shot too.
“He believed his car was getting ‘shot up’ and thought the suspects were trying to ‘kill’ him, the affidavit states.
It also said there was a bullet hole in Thomas’ truck.
At the county jail, Judge Katie Jacobus gave Thomas a $105,000 bond.
“These are pretty serious, unfortunate facts with regard to this case,” Judge Jacobus said.
According to Ivey, the child was struck in the pelvic area, transported to the hospital, underwent surgery, and is in stable condition.
“These individuals don’t care about anything. They’re evil,” Ivey said after the shooting. “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.”
Thomas faces several charges, including discharging a firearm in public and assault with intent.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact Crime Line at 800-423-8477.