Two Fort Pierce teenagers are facing serious felony charges after deputies with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office responded to gunfire in a neighborhood park early Tuesday morning.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, patrol deputies were in the Collins Park area around 1:45 a.m. on January 6, 2026, when they heard multiple gunshots. Deputies immediately began canvassing the area, looking for anyone leaving the vicinity who might be connected to the gunfire.
During the search, Deputy Cody Wells conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle seen driving away from the area. While speaking with the occupants, deputies noticed several spent shell casings on the vehicle’s floorboard and discovered a loaded firearm inside the car. A records check later confirmed the gun had been reported stolen out of Jacksonville, Florida.
Investigators say the driver, identified as 18-year-old Andy Marin-Ortiz of Fort Pierce, also showed deputies a Snapchat video that appeared to capture a firearm being discharged from inside the vehicle toward the ground. Marin-Ortiz was arrested and charged with discharging a firearm from a vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a stolen firearm. He was transported to the St. Lucie County Jail.
As the investigation continued, deputies determined a second person had been inside the vehicle earlier that evening. That individual was identified as 18-year-old Joel Macias Lozano, also of Fort Pierce. Investigators allege Lozano was the person who fired the weapon from the vehicle prior to the traffic stop. Lozano was later arrested and charged with discharging a firearm from a vehicle and booked into the St. Lucie County Jail.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that reckless gunfire poses a serious threat to public safety and said unlawful use of firearms will not be tolerated. Deputies continue to stress the importance of responsible gun ownership and adherence to the law to prevent needless injuries or loss of life.
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