Jason L. Hibbert, a 39-year-old resident of Stuart, Florida, died on April 1, 2024, as a result of a fatal shooting. The incident occurred in the 800 block of South-East Spruce Avenue in Stuart. At approximately 11:45 a.m. on Monday, April 1, Hibbert was found on the ground outside 806 South-East Spruce Avenue with at least one gunshot wound.
Officers from the Stuart Police Department responded to the scene and performed CPR on Hibbert until Stuart Fire Rescue arrived.
Hibbert was then air-lifted to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, where he was in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead at 12:46 p.m.
The shooting was precipitated by a minor verbal dispute between Hibbert and the suspect. Following the shooting, the suspect, identified as 17-year-old Ro'Thonio Wilson, ran south on Spruce Avenue. A collaborative effort between the Stuart Police Department, Martin County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), and an MCSO K-9 unit led to the establishment of a perimeter around the neighborhood. The K-9 unit tracked Wilson to 937 South-East Spruce Avenue, where he was detained as he exited the residence.
After obtaining a court-ordered search warrant, detectives found evidence at the 937 South-East Spruce Avenue location that linked Wilson to the crime. Wilson was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He was initially booked at the Martin County Jail and then transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Fort Pierce.
The incident prompted a lockdown at three nearby public schools as a precautionary measure while the suspect was still at large. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office also temporarily locked down the courthouse during the search for the suspect.
