CLEARWATER, Fla. — Clearwater Police arrested one person after a deadly shooting inside the Surf Style store Tuesday night.
Clearwater Fire and Rescue and Clearwater Police both responded to the shooting at 315 South Gulfview Blvd around 8 p.m.
Authorities said the shooting took place on the second floor of the store. The victim, identified as 22-year-old Rodney Sweeney, was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
Police said the shooting happened after a physical confrontation inside the store.
Johnathan Stanley, 20, was arrested by the Clearwater Mall on Wednesday and taken into custody.
UPDATE: Stanley is in custody. He was arrested at Clearwater Mall this evening. https://t.co/M4yG8tc9iY
— Clearwater Police Department (@myclearwaterPD) March 16, 2023
"Many of our detectives and officers are working non-stop to find the killer and hold him accountable," said Police Chief Daniel Slaughter. "Detectives have interviewed dozens of witnesses and leveraged the technology investments made to ensure people who commit senseless violence are captured and prosecuted."
The shooting isn't what Erin Stevens thought would happen during her spring break.
"It's a little scary, being two young girls like just trying to hang out and have a good time. With sirens going on and you kind of don't know what to expect," she said.
Stevens was standing across the street from Surf Style when the shooting happened. She said at first, she didn't realize what was happening.
"There was a worker that was off duty. She had left for a little bit and came back and said she was consoling somebody that had actually seen that. When she came back, that put into perspective for us, we were in shock, especially that she was right there with someone as well who had seen it all happen," Stevens said.
Tracy Constantine said she now feels the need to protect her three sons when they go out.
"The crime, I think, has gone up somewhat, especially at night," she said.
She said her sons aren't allowed to go out at night. Occasionally she and her husband will go out for dinner, but they make sure to park as close to their restaurant of choice as possible.
"It's sad because I grew up here. I'm from St. Pete. My sister-in-law used to live right down the road here. For years, we would come here and hang out. But we haven't done that in a long time," she said.
While Clearwater Police stresses the shooting was an isolated incident, Stevens said it has changed how she feels about going out for the remainder of her spring break.
"When things like that happen, it kind of changes your perspective on what you should be doing. I mean, we would rather kind of stay in and have a couple of drinks at the hotel instead of go out and do anything at this point," she added.
Meantime, Surf Style reopened Wednesday to beachgoers.
Clearwater PD said there will be an increased police presence at Clearwater Beach as spring break continues.
"We want everyone to feel safe when they come to the beach, or anywhere in Clearwater," Slaughter said. "While violent crime is lower in Clearwater than other places, unfortunately, it is not completely immune to the increase in violent crime being seen across the country."
Anyone with information on the case should call Clearwater Police at 727-562-4242.
