Photo: WFTS
The St. Pete Police Department (SPPD) said an 18-year-old man is dead, and another teen is facing with an upgraded charge of murder while engaged in a robbery after a shooting inside a bathroom at the Childs Park YMCA on Wednesday.
Police responded to the shooting at the facility located at 691 43rd St. S. shortly after 2 p.m. on July 22.
An 18-year-old victim was taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds, and he later died of his injuries, per SPPD.
Police said the 18-year-old victim and another 18-year-old man had traveled from Clearwater to St. Petersburg to purchase a gun.
According to police, the two teenagers met 18-year-old J of St. Petersburg and another man at the YMCA. The report said they all went into the bathroom to conduct a transaction, and it turned violent, and gunfire was exchanged.
J was shot in the face and went to the hospital to receive treatment, per SPPD.
Police said J was arrested and he was initially charged with attempted felony murder. Another suspect, J’s companion, is still at large, according to the report.
The investigation remains active.
Community reacts
The shooting sent shockwaves through the neighborhood surrounding the YMCA, library and recreation center.
K, a 10-year resident who lives nearby, said she heard sirens but was initially afraid to come outside.
“We heard the sirens, and I saw the firetrucks and everything, but I didn’t come out here because I just saw so many…I was kinda scared to,” K said.
She said the shooting has left her feeling unsafe in a place she once considered a community hub.
“I just know that it just sucks that I can’t even walk out the door without someone shooting me or without worrying about my grandbaby walking to the library,” she said.
Neighbors gathered outside the yellow police tape Wednesday afternoon, waiting for answers about what happened at a facility many consider the heart of their community
Impact on recreation activities
The shooting forced the closure of the road and put youth sports activities on standby Wednesday evening, according to the rec center director.
The YMCA sits near a library and recreation center, facilities heavily used by families in the area.
In a statement posted to Facebook on Wednesday evening, YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg said the Childs Park YMCA will remain closed for the rest of the week and “until further notice.”
YMCA said the two individuals involved in the shooting were unaffiliated with the organization. No YMCA staff members or participants were injured, according to the post.
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Source: Tampabay28
