On the morning of December 18, 2024, at approximately 8:30 a.m., St. Petersburg police responded to reports of a shooting near Kings Meat Market, located at 1345 34th Street South. Upon arrival, officers discovered 42-year-old Deon Bell suffering from a gunshot wound. Bell was transported to Bayfront Health, where he was pronounced dead.
Witnesses reported that Bell, after being shot, sought help inside the meat market.
An employee, Harvey Murphy, attempted to assist Bell by keeping him calm until emergency responders arrived. Despite these efforts, Bell succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
In the aftermath of the incident, the St. Petersburg Police Department released an image of a person of interest seen in the vicinity around the time of the shooting. The individual was last observed in the 1300 block of 34th Street South. Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding the person's identity or the circumstances surrounding the shooting to contact them at 727-893-7780 or to text "SPPD" and their tip to TIP411.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Detectives continue to investigate, seeking leads from the community to aid in identifying the suspect and understanding the events that led to Bell's death. The police have emphasized the importance of public assistance in solving this case and bringing justice for the victim.
