37-year-old man arrested after non-fatal shooting of youth in St. Lucie County

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — St. Lucie County Sheriff’s officials last week arrested a 37-year-old man following an incident in which a 14-year-old youth sustained a gunshot wound to the back.

Levil Smith was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail Friday on charges including aggravated battery with deadly weapon, possession of weapon or ammunition by convicted felon, firing weapon from a vehicle and five counts of aggravated child abuse, records show.

In a video posted to social media, Sheriff Keith Pearson said the incident happened April 25.

Officials went to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce and met with the teen who sustained a gunshot wound, he said.

Pearson said investigators “determined that this incident stemmed from a fight between two known parties in the area of North 29th Street and Avenue G.”

“As the victim left the area in a vehicle with relatives, the suspect followed them and at one point fired one round into the victim's vehicle ultimately striking the victim in his back” in the 4100 block of Avenue Q, Pearson said.

Sheriff’s spokesperson Tonya Woodworth did not return a call Monday to inquire about the incident. She has not returned dozens of voice messages regarding a variety of crimes and other matters in months.

Smith was released Saturday from the St. Lucie County jail on $92,500 bond, according to information from the agency’s website.

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Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: 14-year-old non-fatally shot in St. Lucie County; man, 37, arrested