Winter Haven Police announce an arrest has been made in the July 4th shooting death of Demetrick Brown.
After non-stop investigations that started the night of the incident, investigators arrested 47 year-old Bernard Footman (DOB 3/12/75) in the July 4th shooting that occurred during a pop-up block party on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Winter Haven.
On August 18, 2022, a warrant was obtained for Footman’s arrest. He was located and taken into custody without incident.
“Our investigators worked tirelessly to get justice for Demetrick’s family,” said Police Chief David Brannan. “We know this doesn’t erase the pain the family has gone through, but we are glad to help bring closure for them.”
Footman was booked into the Polk County Jail for Second Degree Murder-Firearm (FL) of Demetrick Brown, Two Counts of Attempt Murder in 2nd Degree (F1), Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon(F2), Tampering with Physical Evidence(F3) and Discharge Firearm in Public(M1).
**ORIGINAL RELEASE**
On July 4, 2022 just before midnight, Winter Haven Police officers responded to a call of shots fired in the 200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
As officers arrived, they found one male shot. Officers started life-saving measures to the victim who was transported to the hospital ultimately succumbing to his injuries. Two other males were found at the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Preliminarily, it was discovered that a pop-up block party occurred bringing a very large crowd to the area.
“With the large crowd in attendance, somebody knows something,” said Chief David Brannan. “I implore anyone who knows any information to contact Heartland Crime Stoppers.”
