Person fatally shot along Titusville bike trail identified as 17-year-old boy

TITUSVILLE, Fla. — Titusville police said they are searching for the person who shot a teenager along a bike trail Wednesday afternoon.

Officers said they originally got a call about a man in a ditch along the trail near 1100 N. Washington Ave. from a possible bike accident.

“There’s a guy in the bushes and he’s hurt pretty bad,” the 911 caller said.

When they arrived, investigators said they saw that the man, identified as Mercutio Burford, 17, of Titusville, had a gunshot wound.

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Police said Burford was transported to the hospital in “grave” condition, but died from his injuries shortly after. Burford lived within walking distance of the trail.

Officers said someone nearby told them they saw the assailant jump a fence and run south from the area. They believe the shooter may have been a Black male, about 5-foot 9-inches tall with a slim build and wearing a gray long-sleeve hoodie and dark shorts.

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Officers said they don’t believe the shooting was random.

Detectives anyone with information regarding the shooting to call police at 321-264-7800 or CRIMELINE at 800-423-TIPS.

Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.

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