FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — A 20-year-old man is now facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with a deadly shooting at a Fort Pierce gold shop, while police say they are still searching for a second suspect.
The shooting happened Tuesday night in the 4600 block of South U.S. 1, near Cash Out Gold and Silver and Mercedes-Benz of Fort Pierce. Fort Pierce police initially said one adult victim was found with gunshot wounds around 7:15 p.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Fort Pierce Police, the victim was a female manager at the store. Investigators say the shooting happened sometime between 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., and surveillance video from inside the business captured the killing. Police also say a second person was inside the store when the shooting happened.
Fort Pierce police say K-9 units were used during the investigation, and officers later took one suspect into custody. The suspect was identified as Landen Julian Ballard, 20. He is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
Smith says Ballard has a criminal history, including theft and burglary, and arrest records show he was also charged with child abuse without great bodily harm. Police confirmed Ballard is currently on probation for written or electronic threats.
Police say Ballard and the victim did not know each other. Investigators also say an employee later checked on the victim and found her dead. Police say Ballard has a prior theft-related criminal history and had also violated probation in a prior threat-to-kill case.
Authorities say Ballard was arrested at 1340 Carlton Court, which investigators identified as his mother’s home. Police say Ballard also has an address in Vero Beach. The U.S. Marshals Service helped take him into custody, along with assistance from local sheriff’s offices.
The case remains active. Police say they are still looking for a second suspect as detectives continue working to piece together exactly what led to the fatal shooting. Fort Pierce police had said earlier that the case was active and that few details were being released as the investigation developed.
An employee at We Buy Gold and Silver said she was supposed to help out with a job interview during the time of the shooting. She describes her conversation with the victim earlier in the day.
“It was at the end of the day. We’re supposed to do it together side by side, and they went to the other store first and then came here, and then that was it,” said Tina Dirkes.
Dirkes described the victim as “phenomenal”.
“She was open, and she was willing to give somebody a chance. And that’s rare. Especially not from this area and willing to dive in and help,” Dirkes said.
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If you have any information regarding this incident or information on this criminal in custody or other person being sought, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.