ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The St. Petersburg Police Department said Thursday they have taken a person of interest into custody over two recent homicides in the city.
In a cooperative investigation, the person of interest has been identified as 34-year-old Johnny Carnegie. The suspect is confirmed he is currently being held in the Hillsborough County Jail.
St. Pete Police asked for the public's help Wednesday for information on the shooting deaths of two men: Corlenzo Williams, 24, and Vernon Williams, 60. Police said the victims are not related.
Vernon Williams died early Sunday of a gunshot wound in the 900 block of Melrose Avenue South. Corlenzo Williams died early Tuesday morning in the 2900 block of 17th Avenue South. Investigators believe both shootings were unprovoked.
On Wednesday, Chief Anthony Holloway said a third person came forward and said a suspect in a car came up to him, started talking to him, he saw a weapon, and he ran.
St. Pete Police said they’re not sure if these homicides and the third incident are all related, but they’re asking for the public’s help to get more information.
“We’re not ruling it out. We need more evidence, and as we collect more evidence and as we get more information, we’ll share it with you,” said Chief Holloway. “We’ve got a black male in an unknown vehicle that’s having a brief conversation with people in the late or early morning hours and then possibly shooting them.”
According to Chief Holloway, the first shooting and second shooting happened about two miles apart, while the third incident probably happened a couple of blocks away from the second shooting.
St. Pete Police said investigators worked with Tampa Police and the FBI to locate the person of interest and take the man into custody. The person of interest is now being held in the Hillsborough County Jail on unrelated charges.
Police said the investigation remained active and asked anyone with surveillance or doorbell cameras who live in these areas to contact them immediately.
Anyone with information regarding either case, who wishes to remain anonymous, is eligible for a reward of up to $5,000. People are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS or www.crimestoppersofpinellas.org.
