WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Winter Haven Police said a man is in custody for the July 4 shooting that killed one man and injured two other people.
Bernard Footman, 47, was arrested on August 18, the department announced on Sunday. He's charged with the death of Demetrick Brown, 26.
“There were people that actually had seen enough to come forward, to tell us these things and for us to come to closure in this case,” said Winter Haven Police Chief David Brannan.
During a press conference the police department held on August 22, they stated that during a July 4 block party, Footman allegedly got into an argument with another group, then recovered an assault weapon from the truck before firing into the crowd.
Members of Brown's family were present at the press conference. Brown's father, who is also Footman's nephew, felt that they were "still in limbo."
"I don't believe that he did it. But they got the evidence, so we just gotta let it play out in court," he said, stating that he didn't want to "send an innocent man to prison for something that he didn't do."
Footman’s girlfriend who was also at the party said he is innocent.
“I didn’t see him shoot out there that night at all. I saw other people shooting in the air. I didn’t see him. We were standing on the sidewalk having a good time,” said Bridget Verneiul.
On July 28, police announced that the reward leading to an arrest for his murder increased to $10,000.
"They gave a $10,000 reward for my brother's death. Which is a lot of money for some. It shouldn't even take $10,000 because he was an innocent guy. Stand-up guy, humble person, will give you the shirt off his back," Dejuan Hopkins told ABC Action News in July.
Police stated during the press conference that the reward money had not been given out.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Reward increased as family pleads for answers in Winter Haven July 4th homicide
- Investigators need help identifying woman who may have information on deadly Winter Haven shooting
- 1 killed, 2 injured in Winter Haven Fourth of July shooting
Footman is charged with second-degree murder-firearm, two counts of attempted murder in the second degree, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, tampering with physical evidence and discharging a firearm in public.
“When you arrest another family member for an incident like this, I can understand they’re not going to want to believe that," said Brannan. "We have to go off what we see as evidence of the case and follow that evidence.”
Brown's family remembered him as hardworking and a loving father. Though she can’t make sense of it, Brown’s aunt believes the right person is in custody.
“He’s gone and there’s nothing in this world that can bring him back. Nothing,” said Inger Girtman.
