Police Arrest 20-Year-Old Man in Connection to Deadly Shooting at Clearwater Beach Surf Shop
A 20-year-old man from Clearwater has been arrested in connection to the deadly shooting that occurred at a surf shop in Clearwater Beach on Tuesday night.
According to the police, the shooting took the life of a 22-year-old man from Largo.
The suspect, Jonathan Stanley, was apprehended at Clearwater Mall, where he was found with two other men who are considered persons of interest in the case.
Stanley is expected to face a second-degree murder charge.
Surveillance photos from the scene show all three men inside the surf shop, where a fight between two men on the second floor of the store escalated to gunfire.
The victim, Rodney Sweeney, was shot and killed during the altercation.
The police spent the day interviewing people to determine the relationship between the victim and the three other men and how they interacted before the shooting.
The surf shop, which sells T-shirts, souvenirs, and saltwater taffy, is a popular spot for people visiting on spring break.
Despite the incident, the police have assured the public that this was an isolated incident, and there is no threat to the public.
The increased police presence at the beach will continue through spring break to ensure everyone’s safety.
While the relationship between the suspects and the victim remains unclear, the police are continuing their investigation to determine what led to the deadly shooting.
