West Melbourne Man Arrested After Vehicle Pursuit When Police Respond to Shooting at Manatee Cove Apartments

By Space Coast Daily // November 4, 2020

Eric Curtis Edwards, 29, arrested

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Melbourne Police have arrested a suspect after a shooting incident and vehicle pursuit Monday night that happened at the Manatee Cove Apartments and South Harbor City Boulevard near Hibiscus Boulevard.

One of the suspects that fled the scene and led police on a vehicle pursuit is identified 29-year-old Eric Curtis Edwards from West Melbourne.

According to the investigation, officers responded to a call regarding a reported shooting at the Manatee Cove Apartments around 3:30 p.m. When officers were responding to the scene they noticed a red SUV vehicle fleeing the area that witnesses described to dispatch as one of the vehicles involved in the incident.

Police officers then conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and when the vehicle came to a stop, a passenger got out of the vehicle and surrendered authorities. However, the driver Eric Curtis Edwards, sped away from officers, initiating a vehicle pursuit with police near South Harbor City Boulevard near Hibiscus Boulevard.

The vehicle pursuit ensued until a pursuit intervention technique, known as the PIT maneuver, was successfully utilized near the intersection of Main Street and Church Street.

The driver then fled on foot, but was arrested a short time later.

Police have charged Edwards with Driving While License Suspended (Habitual Offender), Fleeing with Disregard of Safety to Persons/Property, Reckless Driving, and Resisting Officer without Violence.

Investigators verified a shooting did take place at the complex and continue to evaluate Edwards and his passenger’s involvement.

Police say they are also seeking to identify others who are believed to have been involved. There were no injuries reported, but a stray bullet did enter an apartment.

The Melbourne Police Department are asking anyone with additional information, especially those with video, of the incident to contact Detective McKinney at 321-608-6460.

If you have information and wish to remain anonymous, please call CrimeLine at 800-423TIPS (8477) to speak to a live call taker. You will still be completely anonymous and be eligible for a reward.

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