[Note: this story has been updated here.]
A shooting following what sounded like an argument shattered the Christmas eve calm in the 2300 block of South Central Avenue in Flagler Beach, between 20th and 21st Streets, tonight. The man who was shot was sent to Halifax Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The shooter remains at large.
A resident of the block heard the shooting and what had preceded it. “I was sitting in my library upstairs reading a book about 10 of 9,” the resident said. “I heard what sounded like a firecracker, because it didn’t sound like a gun. Actually, a little bit before that I heard some yelling. I couldn’t distinguish what they were saying.” Shortly after the shooting, the resident heard repeated cries of help. He wasn’t sure if it was a hoax. He called 911. Dispatch at 911 said several callers were reporting a similar-sounding incident. The resident turned on his home’s outside lights to illuminate the scene for police, who arrived shortly afterward.
When this reporter arrived on the scene a little after 9 p.m., several Flagler Beach police officers and Flagler County sheriff’s deputies were in the middle of the street, examining a pool of blood and human tissue, about half way between 20th and 21st street, not quite parallel with Martin’s Restaurant a few dozen feet across on A1A. Police then taped off the area and declared it a crime scene, but only briefly.
Flagler Beach police said there would be no further information, nor did they provide the identity of the victim, though they confirmed that the suspect was at large. Several Flagler Beach police and sheriff’s deputy cruisers were seen patrolling the streets of the city on the beach side and across the bridge.
The neighborhood around 20th and 21st Streets along South Central is, like most neighborhoods in Flagler Beach, quiet, residential, and occupied mostly by people who own their home. The home immediately across from the scene of the shooting, on the west side of the street, owned by people who live in North Carolina, appeared unoccupied. Renters live in a duplex on the southeast corner of 21st and Central.
Orion says
In the past, police usually gave a description of the party they were searching for. In this case, if an argument preceded the shooting ,one would think there is a suspect known by the victim, and giving the name out with a description would put more eyes out there, looking?
katie sandy says
My boyfriend Christian Grasso was the victim. There were 4 ppl n the car and tried to rob Chris after they saw him walking back from buying cigarettes, he was putting change back n his wallet when the car pulled up seeing a lot of cash they tried to rob him but Chris was able to hold his pockets and ran. When he ran they shot him n the back. Luckily it missed his spine n he’s not paralyzed and the suspects have been identified.
Craig W. says
Crazy that this happened in Flagler Beach.
Sarah says
This doesnt make any sense buying cigs on Christmas Eve at 9 at night between 21st street everything was closed by 7 anyone who lives in Flagler knows that sounds a lil fishy to me. This guy has a record there has to be more to this story he had to be involved with something for that to happen to him doesn’t take a idiot to figure that out.
Ralph Belcher says
Oh, there IS more information that is not revealed here yet.
pat says
I have to agree with Sarah on this this doesn’ t make one bit of sense. I find it hard to believe that this man even had alot of money with just getting out of jail plus the fact he has been in and out of jail for robbing and drugs so I cant imagine he had a job? So he was buying ciggs in they followed him cause of money? Where did he buy ciggs at 9 at night on Christmas Eve in Flagler on 21st street? Sounds a little fishy to me as well. I love Flagler and it bothers me that this man was even roaming the streets after reading his record for the past year. Patch his ass back up and put his ass back in jail
John Parker says
Karma’s a Bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!