Suspect, resident id’d in Indian River shooting

Indian River County, Fla-The Indian River Sheriff’s Office has released the names of the resident and the suspect in the shooting last night.

On Thursday, February 1st at approximately 5:45 PM, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a residential burglary in progress. It took place in the 300 block of 14th Place SW in Vero Beach.

Resident Taylor Reese told deputies that he was awoken to the sounds of his front door being kicked in. Reese then armed himself to confront the intruder(s). He told the deputies that he stepped just outside of his front door and saw Howard Bartee III (19). Bartee  immediately fired upon Reese. The two exchanged gunfire. Bartee was struck twice. Then Bartee ran northwest from the home and collapsed in the street. Witnesses observed him toss a black object into the wooded area near the street.

When deputies arrived, Bartee was taken into custody and transported to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center as a trauma alert patient. Deputies recovered a black handgun in the wooded area where Bartee was observed tossing an object.

Reese’s handgun was also taken into custody for forensic analysis. Subsequent investigation revealed that Jesse Jones (16) is a person of interest in this shooting. Jones currently has a juvenile warrant and is being sought by detectives.

Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar stated, “Last night’s shooting incident should be a warning to would-be burglars. Many residents of Indian River County are armed and prepared to protect their property. Those who commit these crimes will have to face the consequences of their actions. Based on our preliminary review of the evidence, Mr. Reese was defending himself and his property.” Bartee remains in critical condition but is expected to survive. Detectives are pursuing criminal charges against Bartee at this time.