In a concerning incident that has shaken the wider Treasure Coast community, authorities in Fort Pierce are seeking the public’s assistance after a 12-year-old boy was struck by a stray bullet while inside his own home. The shooting, which occurred late Friday night, highlights ongoing concerns regarding gun violence in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, just south of Indian River County.
According to the Fort Pierce Police Department, the young victim was sitting inside his residence on North 22nd Street—located near the New Life Christian Fellowship Church—when gunfire erupted outside. Detectives report that multiple shots were fired toward the house. One of the bullets pierced the front of the brick home, creating a hole roughly the size of a quarter, before striking the child near the stomach.
Emergency responders acted quickly, and the boy was airlifted to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach for urgent medical attention. Following surgery, the boy’s mother confirmed that he is expected to be released soon and is on track to make a full recovery, a relief to a community on edge.
Neighbors described a chaotic scene, with one resident diving to the floor for cover as the shots rang out. Lorenzo Sturry, a neighbor living just a few doors down from the victim, was watching television when the violence began.
“Oh man, it was probably, I’m going to say 10 to 15 shots. It was a lot of shots,” Sturry recounted. “The way it sounded they was too much, too fast back-to-back.”
The perpetrators reportedly fled the scene before law enforcement could arrive. As of Monday, police have not released information regarding a motive or a specific suspect description. Residents like Sturry expressed frustration with the frequency of such events in the area, noting that while he is grateful no life was lost this time, the recurring violence remains a scary reality for the neighborhood.
Call for Information
Detectives are actively investigating this case and are urging anyone in the Treasure Coast region who may have information to come forward. If you heard or saw anything suspicious on North 22nd Street late Friday, or if you have surveillance video covering the area, please take action.
You can contact the Fort Pierce Police Department directly at (772) 467-6800. For those wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at (800) 273-8477.
