COCOA, Fla. — A large fight led to a deadly shooting at a Brevard County apartment complex, police said, and the gunman remained on the run Monday. Residents said they want to know what police are doing to fix the climbing crime rate at the Candlewood Apartments on North Fiske Boulevard in Cocoa (see map) .
AT THE SCENE: Images Of Investigation CRIME REPORTS: Map Crimes In Your Neighborhood
Crime scene tape surrounded the area where 25-year-old Michael Cockrell was shot in the face and killed Sunday night. Cockrell had just been released from prison in November on drug charges. Police said he was visiting friends after an Easter parade when a fight broke out.
Detectives said several rounds were fired and Cockrell was shot one time in the head. He was transported to a hospital, but was later pronounced dead.
"Got a son, 3-year-old-son," said Cockrell's sister, Kamech Cockrell.
Kamech said he was an innocent bystander.
Detectives interviewed a dozen witnesses and are asking others to come forward. Residents said the shooting is just the latest in a number of recent crimes.
Brenda Lennear has lived there for almost 20 years and said she's ready to move.
"A couple of weeks ago, a stray bullet came right through my screen door. That's my warning right there," Lennear said.
Police said they've responded to 997 calls for service at the complex in the past year. It's similar to what Orlando police faced at the Palms Apartments in 2008. That year, they responded to 913 calls.
However, it wasn't until a triple homicide that they assigned officers to the Palms Apartments complex 24 hours a day. Police even signed in residents by their identifications resulting in calls for service being cut in half.
WFTV wanted to ask the Cocoa police chief how he planned to combat the violence, but he would not comment. Neighbors said something has to be done before someone else gets killed.
"You got people in their houses right now scared to come outside," community activist Ronald Brightman said.
Cocoa police said they hope some of the two dozen witnesses come forward to help them find the shooter. Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigators at 321-637-6330 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-Tips.
WFTV
