Elliott DeMorris DeShawn Byrd, a 22-year-old resident of Fort Pierce, Florida, tragically lost his life on January 17, 2017. Byrd, who was born on July 15, 1994, was a lifelong resident of Fort Pierce and had graduated from Treasure Coast High School in Port St. Lucie. He was employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for a private company. On the morning of January 17, Byrd was found dead inside his home on North 22nd Street in Fort Pierce.
He had been shot multiple times in the upper torso and head, indicating a violent and deliberate attack.
The investigation into Byrd's death revealed that he had been involved in a shooting incident just days before his murder. On January 12, 2017, Byrd was walking on North 12th Street near Avenue D when he was ambushed by three men: Polo Delva, Luckson Cadet, and Fred David Boston. The three men, who were in a car, got out and began shooting at Byrd, who returned fire. During this exchange, Cadet was grazed by a bullet and later found by police. The motive behind this initial shooting was under investigation, but it was clear that Byrd's death was not a random act of violence.
Following Byrd's murder, Fort Pierce police arrested Polo Delva and Luckson Cadet on charges of attempted first-degree murder. Both men were accused of planning and attempting to kill Byrd during the January 12 shooting. A warrant was also issued for Fred David Boston, who was not immediately in custody. The police found multiple types of shell casings at the scene of the January 12 shooting, indicating the involvement of several firearms. Despite these arrests, the investigation into Byrd's murder continued, as officials worked to determine if there was a direct connection between the two incidents.
The community of Fort Pierce was deeply affected by Byrd's death, and his family and friends mourned the loss of a young man who had his whole life ahead of him. Byrd's funeral services were held at Greater New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, where loved ones gathered to pay their respects and remember his life. The ongoing investigation into his murder highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing violent crime and ensuring justice for victims and their families.
