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Clearwater Beach Shootings: Multiple Arrests, 2 Injured

By Brett Snider, Esq. on May 27, 2014 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

A chaotic string of shootings in Clearwater Beach over Memorial Day weekend have ended with a handful of arrests and at least two persons injured.

The shootings allegedly sparked during a fight between two groups at a Clearwater, Florida Hyatt Regency, reports Tampa Bay's WTSP. The hotel shooting was followed by a shooting in a temporary parking lot and a third shooting at a local restaurant. One victim was hospitalized with a groin injury, while another is alleged to have run off after being shot in the hand.

Police have arrested at least four people in connection with the Clearwater Beach shootings.

Shooting at Hyatt Regency

Jerry L. Holmes, 31, was charged on Tuesday with shooting into an occupied structure in connection with the shooting at the Hyatt Regency. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office records state that Holmes was booked early Tuesday morning on the felony charge, but had been released on bond by Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, police allege that Holmes fired three shots at a "rival group" of over a dozen people, although "[a]ll three shots hit the side of the Hyatt." If the shooting is gang related, prosecutors may not be able to bring forward witnesses to prove an aggravated assault or assault with a deadly weapon charge for Holmes.

Parking Garage Shooting

Terrance Antonio Kirnes, 20, was charged with resisting an officer without violence, a misdemeanor, in connection with the shooting in a parking structure. The Times reports that Kirnes allegedly ran from police after being spotted in the garage, claiming that he was running from a "mutual combat" fight after shots were fired.

It is unclear yet if Kirnes' and Holmes' cases are related.

Two More Arrests

In what has been called "a separate case" by police, Jeffrey J. Grier, 20, and Jared Kashon Woodard, 19, were also arrested on gun and drug charges on Memorial Day, reports the Times.

Grier is facing at least three probation violations in addition to his criminal charges.

Woodard's allegations are particularly troubling, as police reportedly found the teen with a gun with the serial number filed off. Even if Woodard had no connection to the Clearwater Beach shootings, possession of a gun with a filed off serial number is a misdemeanor.

More charges may be filed as the investigation continues.

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