FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Fort Pierce police are searching for a gunman who shot three people, killing one, in what witnesses say was an incident that occurred near but not at a local nightclub.
According to a police news release, the shooting took place at the Elks Lodge at the city's north end. However, witnesses say a gunshot victim's body was found across the street, and lodge members insist the killing had nothing to do with activities at the club.
WATCH BELOW: 1 dead, 2 hurt in Fort Pierce shooting
One person died from gunshot wounds, while two others were hospitalized. Their conditions have not been reported. No arrests have been made.
Members of Elks Lodge 1189 in Fort Pierce are concerned that the club's reputation has been damaged by a shooting they say had nothing to do with their establishment.
"It didn't happen at 2408th Avenue Elks Lodge, so it did not happen over here," Willie Gardenhire said. "You know, nothing happened here. They didn't even come into the place over here."
Gardenhire serves as a trustee at the lodge.
Anthony Bailey, a disc jockey at the club, said he heard gunfire from outside the building before police arrived quickly at the scene.
"The officers just advised that everyone just keep everyone inside, just keep it going on wasn't nothing going on in the parking lot, no incident, no nothing going on inside the club," Bailey said. "So after a while I was like, 'Man, let's just shut it down.'"
In addition to video shot at the lodge, Gardenhire checked surveillance footage from the building but found no evidence of the incident occurring on the property.
"I looked at the footage and nothing, I couldn't see anything on it pertaining to what was going on," Gardenhire said.
Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact them at 772-467-6800 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 800-273-8477.
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