Alexis Jaszmyne McKinley, a 26-year-old resident of Fort Pierce, Florida, tragically lost her life on October 11, 2020, following a violent incident outside the Backroom Tavern in Port St. Lucie. The events leading to her death began with a confrontation that escalated into a deadly shooting. According to reports, a fight broke out near the tavern, during which Ernest Lee Reese, 25, was identified as a participant.
Surveillance footage captured Reese hitting another individual with what appeared to be a bottle. Shortly after this altercation, gunfire erupted, resulting in multiple people being shot, including McKinley. She was transported to St. Lucie Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The investigation into McKinley's death revealed that a black Dodge pickup truck was involved in the shooting. Surveillance footage showed an arm extending from the passenger side window of the truck, firing a weapon. The chaotic scene left investigators with 50 cartridge casings of two different calibers. Despite the extensive evidence, the exact motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Reese was later arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, though his involvement in the actual shooting that led to McKinley's death has not been definitively established.
In the days following the incident, law enforcement officials arrested three individuals in connection with two vehicles of interest. These arrests were not directly related to McKinley's death but involved other criminal activities, including drug possession and firearm offenses. One of the vehicles, a white Honda Civic, was found with apparent bloodstains and a 9mm handgun. The occupants, Jamal James Loron Queen and Tyvie Frankejah Troutman, faced charges related to drug possession and firearm offenses. The investigation into McKinley's death is ongoing, with authorities still working to determine whether she was an intended target or an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.
