Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit and the Robbery/Homicide Unit of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office have charged 31-year-old Yancy Crowder with Aggravated Child Abuse with a Deadly Weapon, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
Detectives state on Friday, August 30, 2024, at approximately 6:34 p.m., deputies assigned to the Patrol Operations Bureau responded to 15219 Verona Avenue in Unincorporated Clearwater for a report of shots fired. When deputies arrived, they found the 12-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his shoulder area.
According to detectives, 31-year-old Yancy Crowder and another male were in front of 15250 Verona Avenue when 31-year-old Calvert Hart arrived. Per detectives, Crowder entered the residence, retrieved a firearm, exited the residence, and fired in Hart’s direction multiple times. As Hart fled the scene in his vehicle, Crowder continued to fire at him. The 12-year-old victim, who was standing in a nearby front yard on Verona Avenue, was in the direction Crowder was firing and was struck by a bullet.
Both Crowder and Hart fled the scene before deputies arrived.
The 12-year-old victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
On August 31st, detectives assigned to the Tactical Investigation Section, with the assistance of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, arrested Crowder on three felony warrants in Zephyrhills.
When Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office detectives interviewed Crowder, he admitted he was at the Verona address when the incident occurred but denied having a firearm or hearing any gunshots. Crowder described his leaving the area before law enforcement arrived as coincidental.
Crowder was transported to the Pasco County Jail pending transfer to the Pinellas County Jail.
The investigation continues.