ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A man was shot and killed in downtown St. Petersburg during Memorial Day, and police say that the suspect remains elusive.
The victim is Peter-Austin Afentakis, a 29-year-old man. Police haven’t confirmed what led to the violence, but investigators were at the scene throughout the morning trying to piece together what happened.
“Thinking that there’s someone on the loose or there’s some sort of danger potentially lurking anywhere around any corner. It gives me hesitation and makes me want to be more cautious and aware of my surroundings,” Ryan Schoen said.
Schoen recently moved to St. Petersburg and was trying to sleep when the violence unfolded just steps away from his apartment.
“I was like, well, it is a holiday, so maybe it could possibly be fireworks or something like that. But then I heard an ambulance, and then no real noise after that,” Schoen said.
Peter-Austin Afentakis, 29, died after first responders transported him to the hospital.
Monday morning, 1st Avenue North was closed from 2nd Street to 1st Street as multiple St. Petersburg police officers continued their investigation.
8 on your side saw crime scene markers and a golden-brown vehicle surrounded by tape.
“It is scary. I haven’t had to encounter that at all. And St. Pete, this area has always felt very safe, and it has felt home,” Ryan Schoen said. “So seeing something like that is shocking to say the least.”
There’s no suspect in custody at this time, and police haven’t revealed any additional information about other parties possibly involved in the incident.
Those who were out last night in the area said they heard people talking about a potential altercation in the street.
“We were leaving, and we’re heading back to the hotel, and I did hear like a big group of people talking about getting into a fight… then we kind of just crossed the street and went back home,” Patrick Lopes, who is vacationing in St. Petersburg, said.
St. Petersburg Police are asking anyone with information to share it with them by calling (727) 893-7780.
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