Accident – Death – Obituary News :
The Gardens Mall Shooting Suspect Faces Federal Weapons Charge
A West Palm Beach man has been formally indicted by a federal grand jury on a weapons charge related to the Valentine’s Day shooting at The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens. Kemarcio Antonio Mitchell, 28, is facing charges of unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Mitchell was taken into custody on February 16, two days after an altercation at the mall resulted in gunfire. Devon Jamal Graham, 28, of Riviera Beach, was identified as the suspected shooter by Palm Beach Gardens police. Graham allegedly shot Mitchell during a confrontation on an escalator near P.F. Chang’s at the mall.
Investigators revealed that Mitchell was in possession of a handgun and was captured on surveillance-camera video discarding the weapon in the parking lot before fleeing the scene, leaving a trail of blood behind. The firearm was found to be loaded and had previously traveled in interstate commerce.
Mitchell received treatment for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. During a court hearing on February 20, Mitchell was deemed indigent and assigned a public defender.
According to a criminal complaint, Mitchell was seen manipulating an object under his shirt while on the mall’s second level near a retail store. Graham then pulled out a weapon and shot Mitchell, as per police reports.
At a news conference, Palm Beach Gardens police stated that both Mitchell and Graham have gang affiliations and a history of knowing each other, along with extensive criminal backgrounds. If convicted, Mitchell could face 15 years to life in prison.
Graham is facing state charges for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and aggravated fleeing and eluding following his arrest in Boynton Beach. Police discovered an AK-47 assault rifle, a handgun, and packages of fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana in the vehicle Graham arrived in at the Gardens Mall.
Graham pleaded not guilty to the weapons charge and is scheduled to appear in court in March. Despite missing his initial court hearing on the weapons charge, he was present for a separate hearing at the Palm Beach County Jail, where he was assigned a public defender and ordered to be held without bail by Circuit Judge James Sherman..