Fight breaks out after gunman sentenced to life in MLK Day shooting

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Kemmye Riccardo Parson was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday for the 2023 shooting at an MLK event in Fort Pierce that took the life of 29-year-old Nikkitia Bryant.

Parson, 31, was found guilty in February of second-degree felony murder, attempted first-degree murder with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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Gunman sentenced to life in 2023 shooting at MLK Day event

WPTV’s Tyler Hatfield was in the courtroom for the sentencing, and reports Parson was sentenced to life in prison on the first and second counts, to be served concurrently, and received 15 years maximum for the third count.

After the sentencing, emotions ran high and an altercation broke out in the hallway of the St. Lucie County courthouse, between those familiar with Parson and Bryant’s family and friends. St. Lucie County deputies had to disperse the crowd.

Bryant, a mother, was killed at a 2023 MLK Day event at Ilous Ellis Park, and was one of eight people shot. Parson was arrested in Tampa two months after the shooting.

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Nikkitia Bryant, 29, was killed in a Jan. 16, 2023 shooting at Ilous Ellis Park in Fort Pierce.

Prosecutors said Parson didn’t directly shoot Bryant, but participated in the shooting that killed her and injured others. That shooter has still not be identified.

Bryant’s mother, Nikkiti White, tells WPTV she feels justice has been served, but wants investigators to continue searching for anyone else involved that day.

“We still have a long ways to go, but this part is over with,” said White. “We still want the other people, but this part is over with.”

Bryant was shot in front of her 9-year-old daughter.

“She’s still struggling. The older she gets, I think the worse it gets for her,” said White.

WATCH: Altercation after sentencing in MLK Day shooting

Fight breaks out after sentencing in MLK Day shooting

“She’s never coming back,” said White. “His family get to go visit him, his family gets to say happy birthday. We have to go to a grave.”

Now, White said, she’s trying to move forward.

“Before I couldn’t say that she was resting. Now I can say that she’s resting,” said White. “I have to stay strong for my grandbaby.”

The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office says this is still an active investigation, but they have exhausted their leads. They ask anyone with information to contact them.

WPTV

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