St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara says his department’s formal investigation of the Fort Pierce Police Department’s officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of Demarcus Semerhas ended and the information has been turned over to the state attorney for review.
The sheriff made the announcement in a video statement on the department’s Facebook page.
“Over the past 3 months our agency has committed more than 30 personnel who spent approximately 3,200 man hours working tirelessly on the collection and analysis of evidence and interviewing more than 50 people who indicated they had information related to the events of April 23rd.
“Staff from the 19th Judicial Circuit Crime Laboratory along with members of Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit committed more than 1,000 additional man hours and assisted in various investigative functions such as ballistics and DNA analysis and a 360 degree scan of the crime scene,” the sheriff said.
The sheriff showed three boxes which he said were filled with all the information collected.
Sheriff Mascara said he anticipates further requests from the state attorney throughout the review.
“I want to thank the members of our community for their patience while this comprehensive investigation took place and ask for their continued patience as the process continues,” Sheriff Mascara said.
He also thanked members of the sheriff’s office whom he said have worked tirelessly and “ produced a thorough account of the facts and evidence.”