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Police blame mall shooting on gangs

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published December 28, 2006

BOYNTON BEACH - A chance meeting of rival gang members while they did Christmas shopping in a mall led to the shooting that left one of them dead, police said.

Berno Charlemond, 23, died moments after the fight Sunday afternoon with Jesse Cesar, 21, and Fregens Daniel in the Boynton Beach Mall.

"They just happened to be shopping here at the same time and decided that this was the place to settle their disagreement," Boynton Beach police Chief Matt Immler said. "And this could have happened anywhere."

Daniel held Charlemond in a bear hug, threw him down and punched him with Cesar's help, police said. Cesar allegedly then repeatedly shot Charlemond, who was with his girlfriend and her children.

Cesar later shot at police officers who chased him through the mall, officials said. Officers did not return fire, and Cesar was arrested in a Dillard's store.

He was charged with first-degree murder with a firearm and attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer with a firearm. Daniel, 21, is charged with acting as a principal in the crime. Their public defender, Joe Walsh, did not return a phone message left at his office Wednesday.

Police investigator Suzanne Gitto declined to comment on any other shootings that Cesar might have been involved in.

Police also have issued an arrest warrant for Wilson Pierre, who is wanted on second-degree murder charges.

[Last modified December 28, 2006, 00:46:40]