COCOA, Fla. — Toddler Injured in Broad Daylight Shooting; Authorities Decry “Evil” Act
COCOA, Fla. — A 2-year-old girl was caught in the crossfire of a violent shooting in Cocoa on Tuesday afternoon and is now being treated at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
The terrifying incident unfolded shortly after 1:26 p.m. near the intersection of Burnett Road and Catalina Drive, a typically quiet area turned into a scene of chaos. Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said the child was with a man and a woman who were pushing her in a stroller out of a store when a black Mercedes pulled up outside.
Moments later, several individuals emerged from the vehicle, and a gunfight broke out, with roughly 50 rounds fired in a matter of seconds. Investigators believe that three individuals opened fire in the direction of the man, woman, and child, turning what might have been a targeted attack into a scene of indiscriminate violence.
Tragically, the 2-year-old was struck once in the pelvic area. Although her injuries are not considered life-threatening, the very fact that such a young child was caught in a gang-style shootout in broad daylight has stunned the community and law enforcement.
“The child was hit one time around the pelvic area,” Sheriff Ivey said during a press briefing. “We’re incredibly fortunate that the injury isn’t more severe, but this never should have happened. This is completely and utterly unacceptable.”
Even more shocking, authorities say the woman with the stroller fled the scene, leaving the child behind. She returned only after the gunfire had ceased. Ivey described the woman’s behavior as “concerning” and noted that investigators are still trying to determine her relationship to the child.
Initial findings suggest the shooting was connected to an ongoing feud, though authorities have not confirmed any additional motives. One of the suspected shooters has already been identified, but law enforcement is withholding the name as the investigation continues. No arrests had been announced as of Tuesday evening.
Sheriff Ivey did not hold back in expressing his outrage over the brazen nature of the attack.
“These individuals don’t care about anything,” he said. “They’re evil, and they’re not only putting a toddler at risk—there were other people around. This was a bunch of individuals acting stupid and doing stupid things. Their callousness is beyond comprehension.”
The community of Cocoa has been left reeling, with many residents shocked that such a violent and reckless act could take place in broad daylight, especially with innocent children nearby. Local authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as the investigation ramps up.
“This isn’t just a law enforcement issue—this is a community issue,” Ivey said. “We need the community to step up and help us find these suspects and bring them to justice.”
As of now, the investigation is ongoing, and updates are expected as law enforcement continues to piece together the events leading up to the shooting. Authorities are also reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses in the hopes of identifying the other individuals involved.
This remains a developing story.