Michael Carstarphen, a 28-year-old, was one of the victims in a triple homicide that occurred in Escambia County, Florida, on April 28, 2024. The incident took place around 1:15 a.m. at an adult birthday party located at West Jackson Square.
Carstarphen, along with Markeese Turner, 26, and Trashawn Powers, was inside a parked Ford Mustang convertible when the shooting occurred.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, the shooters parked nearby, walked through a yard to approach the car, and then fired multiple rounds at close range. This was described as a "targeted ambush" rather than a random or drive-by shooting.
The investigation suggests that the shooting may have been in retaliation for a past incident. Michael Carstarphen had been released from state prison just eight days prior to the shooting, on April 20, 2024. He had been sentenced to two years in prison in March 2023 for charges including fraud, drug offenses, and a gun charge.
The sheriff's office has seized the car and other evidence, including cell phones, and is working to obtain search warrants for these items. Investigators are gathering more video and information to aid in the investigation. The public has been urged to provide any additional information to the sheriff's office or CrimeStoppers.
The shooting is being treated as a homicide, and authorities are actively seeking to identify and apprehend the suspects involved in this targeted attack. As of the current date, there have been no reports of arrests or the identification of the shooters.
