FBI Has Accused Man Of 2 Fatal St. Pete Shootings Behind Bars: Police

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A suspect accused of two separate fatal shootings earlier in the week in St. Petersburg has been identified by St. Pete police and as of Wednesday, Tampa police and the FBI took the suspect to jail, a St. Pete police news release said.

The first victim, 60-year-old Vernon Williams, died early Monday morning on Melrose Avenue South from gunshot wounds, authorities said.

Tuesday morning, Corlenzo Williams, 24, who is not related to Vernon Williams or connected to him, was shot and killed in the 2900 block of 17th Avenue South shortly after 1 a.m., police said.

In each homicide, police said a driver pulled up and began a conversation with each man before the shooting.

“What we want to tell the public is that if someone comes up to you that period of time and you don’t know them, please, please do not go up to that car," Holloway said Wednesday at a press conference. "Walk away from that car."

According to police, both shootings were unprovoked attacks.

The shooting suspect is in the Hillsborough County Jail as of Thursday afternoon on unrelated charges to the St. Pete shootings. Deputies arrested him Wednesday evening on unknown charges.

Police said they will not release the name of the suspect or any other information at this time during the investigation.

Related Patch Stories:

• St. Pete's 2nd Gunshot Victim Of The Week Identified: Police
• Police Seek Public's Help With Melrose Avenue Homicide Investigation