An 18-year-old man was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon during what investigators say was a gun sale that turned violent inside the Childs Park YMCA in St. Petersburg.
At approximately 2:09 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, St. Petersburg police responded to reports of a person shot at the Childs Park YMCA, located at 691 43rd Street South.
Officers found that an 18-year-old man had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Authorities are not releasing the victim’s identity at this time.
According to investigators, the victim and another 18-year-old man traveled from Clearwater to St. Petersburg to purchase a firearm. Police said they met 18-year-old My’Kiese Camron Johnson of St. Petersburg and another individual at the YMCA. The four went into a restroom to conduct the transaction, where the encounter escalated into an exchange of gunfire.
Johnson was struck in the face during the shooting but sustained what police described as a minor injury. He later went to a hospital on his own for treatment.
Following the investigation, Johnson was arrested and charged with Murder while Engaged in a Robbery.
According to the arrest affidavit, the meeting had been arranged for the firearm purchase, and the victim was later pronounced deceased from gunshot wounds to the torso.
Police said Johnson’s companion, who was present during the incident, remains at large. Investigators continue working to identify and locate that individual.
The investigation remains active, and anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Petersburg Police Department.