ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — Authorities in St. Petersburg are actively investigating a deadly shooting that occurred early Monday morning, May 25, 2026, near the downtown area following what police described as an altercation that escalated into gunfire.
According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, officers responded shortly after 3:00 a.m. to reports of shots fired near the intersection of 1st Avenue North and Beach Drive Northeast. Upon arrival, officers located a man in his late 20s suffering from gunshot wounds.
Police later identified the victim as Peter-Austin Afentakis. He was transported to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment but later died from injuries sustained during the shooting. Investigators stated that a fight reportedly broke out before at least one person pulled a firearm and opened fire.
Authorities confirmed that the suspected shooter fled the area before officers arrived and has not yet been taken into custody. Detectives continue reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and gathering evidence from the downtown crime scene.
The deadly incident follows several recent shooting investigations across St. Petersburg, including the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Gaige Santos-Brown on May 23, 2026, which resulted in the arrest of a 16-year-old suspect while investigators continued searching for additional persons of interest.
Residents and visitors in the downtown district reported seeing a heavy police presence overnight as portions of the area were temporarily secured for investigative operations. The incident has renewed concerns surrounding late-night violence and public safety within busy entertainment areas of downtown St. Petersburg.
Police are asking anyone with information related to the shooting to contact the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780 or submit anonymous tips through Tip411.
