STARKE, Fla. – A man was found dead inside a home in Starke after housesitters discovered signs of a break-in, the Starke Police Department said Sunday.
The police department said it got a call around 9:15 a.m. Sunday about a burglary at a home on Washington Street.
According to police, when housesitters arrived to check on the home, they found signs of a break-in. Maj. Barry Warren, with the Police Department, told News4Jax those signs included broken glass and blood.
Police said they later discovered the body of a man, who was identified as 28-year-old Demitri Blount, in the living room area. According to police, the man had been shot multiple times and appeared to have a gunshot wound to his torso.
Police said the man did not live at the home, and it’s unclear why he was there. Sgt. Michael Rooney, with the Police Department, said the man may have forced his way into the home as a means of shelter after what police believe was an altercation between him and the shooter.
Police wouldn’t release any information about a possible suspect but did say they’re on the lookout for a black, newer-model, four-door vehicle. The Police Department later released images of the possible suspect vehicle.
Meanwhile, residents told News4Jax that this is not the norm and that it’s usually a quiet neighborhood.
“Pretty quiet. We’ve never really had too much trouble. People coming by, bumming money is about the biggest thing,” said nearby business owner Jeff Thompson.
Resident Joseph Mitchel said: “It’s peaceful, man. There’s really not much going on around here.”
Earlier this month, according to police, a 19-year-old man was shot and killed about a mile away from the home where the 28-year-old was found dead Sunday. When asked whether this weekend’s death might have been related to the previous homicide, police said they’re treating this as an independent criminal homicide at this time.