Shootings in Melbourne leave 1 dead, 2 in critical condition, police say

MELBOURNE, Florida. – Police are trying to determine whether there is a connection between the two shootings in Melbourne on Saturday that left one man dead and two others in critical condition.

Officers responded to the 900 block of Camphor Way at 3:25 p.m., where an unidentified man exited a light-colored car and then shot at two people in the driveway of a home, according to a Melbourne Police Department news release. The car left the area and one of the two people shot – so far described only as a man – was hospitalized in critical condition, the news release said.

At 7:24 p.m., while officers were still on scene on Camphor Way, Melbourne Police responded to reports of shots fired at the entrance to Eddie Taylor Park on Monroe Street.

Large crowds that had gathered at the park began to flee in different directions, police said. Most were at the park to watch youth soccer games, but investigators believe many others were there after the funeral of Craig Dewberry, who was murdered Sept. 10 at the Tip Top Mini Market, according to the news release.

Two men were shot in the park, police said. One of them, who was taken to the hospital by car, was in critical condition at last check, the news release said. The other, who was found in the parking lot and taken to the hospital by ambulance, was pronounced dead on arrival, the news release said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call police at 321-608-6731 or Crimeline at 800-423-8477.

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