PALM BAY, Fla. – A really big Halloween party with mostly teenagers ended in a deadly shooting, according to Palm Bay police.
Ethan O'Neal, 20, was fatally shot in his chest, an emergency responder reported early Friday morning.
Officials said at approximately 12:30 a.m., the Palm Bay Police Department responded to a loud party in the area of Daysland Avenue Southwest.
When officers arrived at the scene, they heard gunshots fired in the area.
According to authorities, O'Neal, approached officers, apparently suffering from a gunshot wound.
Officers immediately attempted lifesaving measures on O'Neal.
O'Neal was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead, authorities said.
"Everybody was here from Palm Bay," a teenager who attended the party told News 6.
Jaedah Goulbourne, 17, said she felt like had to run for her life.
She said it started with a fight in the street.
"Next thing you know, it was like a whole bunch of gunshots and I just ran," Goulbourne said.
Neighbors said the house has a reputation for big parties.
Police said at this party, the father of a teenager living there was away from home.
Neighbors are also concerned about another shooting at a big party there just six months ago.
Unlike Halloween, back in May, no one was hurt.
"It's sad. Especially when you know the person, it makes it even worse," Goulbourne said.
She said Ethan O'Neal went to Bayside High School and was a good basketball player.
Goulbourne and her mother felt devastated for O'Neal's family.
"I feel like this could have been my daughter or my son," Naomi Trench said. "You send them out to have a good time; it's Halloween. You've got to be responsible when you have a gun in your hand.
"That's somebody's life," Trench said.
According to officials, the investigation is ongoing and leads are being followed.
If anyone has information regarding the incident, they are asked to call the Palm Bay Police Department at 321-952-3456 or Crime Line at 1-800-423-8477.