Executive Summary
- Emergency crews responded to a structure fire on South Market Avenue in Fort Pierce around 8:10 p.m. Saturday.
- A body was discovered inside the residence after the fire was extinguished.
- Investigators determined the victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and other injuries.
- The State Fire Investigator is assisting the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office with the arson investigation.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO) initiated a homicide investigation on Saturday evening after discovering a deceased individual with gunshot wounds inside a fire-damaged residence in Fort Pierce, Florida. Authorities responded to the scene in the 600 block of South Market Avenue around 8:10 p.m. following reports of a structure fire.
According to the SLCSO, Patrol Operations Bureau deputies and personnel from the St. Lucie County Fire District (SLCFD) arrived at the location to find the residence engulfed in flames. Fire crews worked to suppress the blaze while deputies secured the perimeter and provided scene support. Once the fire was extinguished and the structure was deemed safe for entry, rescue personnel located a body inside the home.
Investigators subsequently executed a search warrant at the residence. SLCSO officials stated that an initial examination of the victim revealed multiple gunshot wounds in addition to other unspecified injuries. The cause of these additional injuries remains under active investigation. The State Fire Investigator also responded to the scene to assist county officials with the arson-related components of the case.
Authorities confirmed that the victim has been identified; however, their identity is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin. The Sheriff’s Office has not yet released information regarding potential suspects. Officials are urging anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area or who possesses information relevant to the incident to contact the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office at 772-462-7300.
Investigative Outlook
This case presents a complex forensic environment involving both homicide and arson protocols. The presence of gunshot wounds prior to the fire suggests the blaze may have been set to destroy evidence, a factor that typically necessitates close coordination between homicide detectives and fire marshals. As the investigation remains in its preliminary stages, law enforcement is prioritizing the preservation of the crime scene and the formal identification of the victim to establish a timeline of events leading up to the incident.
