Florida mom dead after gang-related mass shooting at MLK Day celebration

A Florida mother has died from gunshot wounds she suffered in a gang-related mass shooting Monday at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, officials said.

The unnamed 29-year-old — who was among eight people shot in the bloodbath — was trying to enjoy the holiday event with her young daughter, said St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara.

“I’m here to sadly report that one of those victims died this morning,” he said. “She’s a Fort Pierce native who was at the party with her 6-year-old daughter. And now what was a shooting investigation has turned into a murder investigation.”

Shots erupted just after 5 p.m. during the MLK Car Show and Family Fun Day at Ilous Ellis Park, where roughly 1,000 revelers had gathered at what was billed as a family friendly event.

Video from the scene shows attendees fleeing in all directions after the gunfire rang out.

Mascara said the violence stemmed from a confrontation between two rival Fort Pierce gangs.

A total of eight people, all adults, were hit by bullets, the agency said.

Another four victims — including a child — suffered injuries while fleeing the scene.

The St. Lucie Sheriff’s Office asked for the community’s assistance in cracking the case, and said that anyone who protects or harbors the shooters will be prosecuted.

“I can assure you that we will arrest you and we will charge you to the fullest extent of the law for partaking in that support,” said Chief Deputy Brian Hester, who added that investigators recovered 50 shell casings at the scene.