5 Shot at Crab Festival in Williston Florida

On April 27, 2013 at approximately 8:00 P.M, LCSO Deputies responded to shots fired on County Road 318 (a/k/a NE 40th Street) east of the City of Williston. The subsequent investigation revealed that 5 victims had been shot. One of the victims, BARRY BARNEY (36 years of age), died from his injuries. Two females and two males were wounded during the gunfire. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time. No suspects are currently in custody.

The shooting occurred during a large annual gathering of people labeled as “Crab Festival”. This event attracted an estimated crowd of 10,000 people this year. The event is unsanctioned and no individuals or organizations take credit for hosting the event. The Festival is advertised underground primarily through social media. While it is called the “Crab Festival”, it is actually a series of “Hip Hop” style street parties. Violent incidents have been reported at the Festival in the past. The event draws numerous vendors and large crowds to the neighborhoods east of Williston. The vendors, large crowds and numbers of vehicles force the closing of many of the roads, including County Road 318.

A large contingent of Levy County Deputies was working the Festival and heard the gunshots. Deputies and Emergency Medical personnel responded immediately on foot and in vehicles to assist the injured. The Levy County Department of Public Safety had pre-staged ambulances and a Medical helicopter in the area for the Festival. The large crowds made it impossible for ambulances to reach the wounded. Despite the large crowds walking and dancing in the roadway, Deputies and EMS personnel were able to evacuate the victims in law enforcement and private vehicles. Barney was taken to a local hospital by air, but died enroute to the hospital.

Investigators recovered some physical evidence, including shell casings, at the scene and the investigation is ongoing. Deputies ask that any witnesses to the shootings contact Lt. Scott Tummond at 352-486-5111 or Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477. Investigators are especially interested in obtaining video or photographs taken at the Festival, as many people were seen taking photo’s and recordings with cell phones and I-Pads. Witnesses can remain anonymous by giving information through Crime Stoppers.

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