While Port St. Lucie, one of the county’s largest cities, is generally ranked as one of Florida’s safest cities for its size, certain criminal issues remain a focus for local law enforcement.
- While Port St. Lucie, one of the county’s largest cities, is generally ranked as one of Florida’s safest cities for its size, certain criminal issues remain a focus for local law enforcement.
- Neighbor dispute leaves three dead in Port St. Lucie neighborhood
- Home invasion robbery in Port St. Lucie
- Two bodies found in St. Lucie County waters in less than a week
Neighbor dispute leaves three dead in Port St. Lucie neighborhood
A man suspected of a double homicide in Port St. Lucie died Tuesday after shooting himself the previous day following hours barricaded inside a residence, authorities said.
The suspect was identified as Paul Maraio, 62.
Police believe a neighbor dispute triggered the shooting that killed two men in separate homes.
Three people, including the suspect, died following a double shooting Monday afternoon in Port St. Lucie.
Port St. Lucie police responded to the 2700 block of SE Tropical East Circle around 3:15 p.m. after receiving reports of gunfire and two men shot in two different locations within the community.
Police identified the suspect as Paul Maraio, 62, who, according to reports, had fled to a third house and taken a woman hostage inside.
Officers negotiated with Maraio for over two hours before freeing the hostage. The suspect remained alone inside the house, armed and barricaded, and reported he had shot himself.
Maraio was found in the house with a gunshot wound to the chest and was taken to the hospital.
The two men were pronounced dead from gunshot wounds inside their respective homes.
Authorities believe a dispute with a neighbor ultimately sparked the altercation.
Home invasion robbery in Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie authorities continue investigating a home invasion robbery that occurred on November 7 around 2:00 p.m., when they responded to a report of a break-in at a residence in the 1000 block of SW Coleman Avenue.
Preliminary investigation revealed that two men forced entry into the home, confronted an adult woman who was alone, threatened her with a firearm, and demanded money.
The two suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money in a burgundy SUV. The woman was unharmed during the incident.
Both suspects were described as men dressed entirely in black, including hooded sweatshirts and masks covering their faces, with white gloves and sandals.
Detectives believe this was not a random act and that this particular home was targeted.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are asking for community assistance. If you have information or video of the incident, please contact Detective Fred Knaggs at (772) 871-5001 or Treasure Coast Crimestoppers at (800) 273-8477.
Two bodies found in St. Lucie County waters in less than a week
Local authorities are investigating two separate incidents that have shocked the St. Lucie County community, where two bodies were found in different areas of the river and canals in less than seven days.
One of the cases occurred on November 4, when the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the body found in the Taylor Creek drainage, north of U.S. Highway 1, belonged to Jy’Heem Ross, 22, a Fort Pierce resident.
This case was classified by authorities as a homicide, and detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department continue working to clarify the circumstances of his death.
The other case occurred on November 7, when the Port St. Lucie Police Department reported finding the body of Victor Anthony Valdez, 41, in the St. Lucie River near the Twin Bridges.
Valdez had been reported missing on November 4. A suicide note and other evidence led authorities to determine it was a suicide.
Though unrelated, both cases have put authorities and the community on alert due to the proximity of the dates and locations where the bodies were found.
If you have information about the case of Jy’Heem Ross, contact the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office at (772) 462-3320 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS (8477).
If you or someone you know needs emotional support, call 988, the national suicide prevention lifeline available 24 hours a day.
