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St. PETERSBURG, FL -- 3 more suspects have been identified in Sunday's drive-by shooting that killed an 8-year-old girl.
St. Petersburg Police spokesman Bill Proffitt would not release the suspects' names, but said detectives are following leads in an effort to get them into custody.
Meanwhile a judge denied bond for the only suspect charged, Stephan C. Harper, at his first court appearance Monday afternoon.
He is charged with First Degree Murder in the shooting death of 8-year-old Paris Whitehead-Hamilton.
Detectives learned that Harper actively planned and participated in the shooting at 771 Preston Avenue South, where the girl was staying with her aunt, who is her legal guardian.
Whitehead-Hamilton's mother died several years ago and her father is currently serving in Iraq, officials said.
The girl was killed when dozens of rounds from a semi-automatic rifle were fired into her bedroom. Detectives said she was woken up by the gunfire and tried to take cover, but was struck by at least one bullet.
Investigators learned that Harper had an on-going disagreement with one of the men who lived with the victim. They believe the shooting was an act of retaliation. The reason for the conflict is still not clear.
Harper was arrested and questioned at the St. Petersburg Police Department before being taken to the Pinellas County Jail.
Detectives seized three assault rifles, two shotguns and one bullet-proof vest from an apartment at Citrus Grove Apartments at 711 15th Street South. They believe some of the weapons were used in the shooting.
Chief of Police Charles Harmon expressed his condolences to the victim's family for "this tragic and senseless shooting" and praised the efforts of his officers and detectives who "worked extremely hard all day to bring closure to this case in less than 24 hours."
Chief Harmon said he wanted like to reassure the citizens of St. Petersburg that "the St. Petersburg Police Department will aggressively pursue any criminal who uses an assault rifle to commit acts of violence against innocent victims in our community."
Whitehead-Hamilton's father is serving in Kuwait and he was given the tragic news Monday.
Paris' family told ABC Action News they planned to hold a vigil Monday night outside the girl's home at 6:30 pm.
The family says the home is unlivable and they are preparing to move.
