PALM BAY, Fla. – An arrest has been made in a fatal shooting during a carjacking at a Palm Bay gas station, according to police.
The shooting happened around midnight Tuesday at the 7-Eleven at 3505 Bayside Lakes Blvd. SE, prompting a large police presence off Bayside Lakes Boulevard, west of I-95.
Palm Bay police said the victim was shot multiple times and taken to a hospital, where he later died. Officials have not released his name or age.
Evan Chambliss, 23, was arrested after a police chase into Indian River County, according to police.
According to authorities, the victim’s car was spotted in Indian River County and when deputies tried to pull the vehicle over, Chambliss took off. A pursuit ensued and law enforcement eventually stopped the vehicle and arrested Chambliss.
“There is no evidence that he knew the victim. This crime was one of opportunity that ended with the senseless murder of an innocent man,” police said.
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Investigators spent hours outside the gas station, focusing on a white car.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family. This act was one of pure evil, this is the only way to describe the heinous actions of the individual,” Palm Bay police Chief Mario Augello said in a release.
Chambliss was arrested on charges of first-degree murder and armed carjacking.
The shooting comes days after a body was found in the undeveloped area in Palm Bay known as The Compound and a shooting at an apartment complex that left four teens injured.
Through a Facebook video Wednesday night, Mayor Rob Medina called the recent shootings isolated and said they do not reflect the safety of the entire city.
Chambliss is scheduled to make his first appearance before a judge Thursday at the Brevard County jail.
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