SPPD: Shooting at intersection leads to car crash

ST. PETERSBURG - St. Petersburg Police Department officers responded to a shooting near Perkins Elementary School.

Officials say it happened around 11 a.m. Sunday in the proximity of 18th Avenue S. and 22nd Street S.

Upon arrival, officers discovered that two vehicles had collided at the intersection - a 90s Pontiac Sunbird and a Silver Chrysler Le Baron convertible.

Further investigation revealed that one of the occupants, Julius Simons, 19,  of the Sunbird had suffered several gunshots wounds. Julius suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is being treated at an area hospital.

Investigators determined that the Sunbird, occupied by the victim and another unidentified male, were initially  stopped at the red light heading southbound on 22nd Street in the median lane.

Police say a second car, described as white four-door sedan, pulled up along the right side of the Sunbird in the curb lane. The sedan was reportedly occupied by four men, and it is believed that at least two of the occupants of that car began to fire shots at the occupants of the Sunbird.

In an attempt to escape, investigators say the driver of the Sunbird drove through the intersection, against the red light and hit the silver Chrysler Le Baron, which was entering the intersection with the green light.

According to reports, the suspects in the white sedan continued to fire at the Sunbird after the accident, striking the Le Baron in the process.
 
The suspect vehicle then fled the area, and the two occupants of the Sunbird attempted to flee the accident scene on foot, but the wounded victim collapsed in the parking lot of the credit union on the southeast corner of the intersection.

Officials say he was transported to a local hospital, and appears to be in serious condition at this time. The second unidentified occupant of the Sunbird was not located, and it is unknown if he suffered any injuries.

The female driver and the lone occupant of the Le Baron were reportedly uninjured, although that car was struck several time by gunfire.

Officers later learned that the shooting had started in the 300 block of 27th Street South and escalated to the shooting at 18th Avenue South and 22nd Street.

Police believe the man who fled the scene has dreadlocks and facial hair with a medium build standing at about 5'7. They believe this man to be armed and dangerous.

Investigators are still attempting to identify other suspects involved in this case and are seeking the public assistance. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780.

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