Community holds vigil for man shot and killed in downtown St. Augustine

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A vigil was held in memory of Adam Amoia, the man who shot and killed in downtown St. Augustine Saturday.

One of his best friends, Levi Moore, said the two were inseparable and hearing about the loss left him heartbroken.

“Disbelief, shock, still don’t believe it,” Moore said. “I’m talking to his close family and it feels like a nightmare that hasn’t ended.”

Amoia was shot and killed early Saturday morning after a fight outside of Dos Gatos led to multiple gun shots.

The vigil held outside the local bar where the shooting happened brought loved ones from all over, coming together for someone who meant and did so much for the community.

Action News Jax was given photos of Amoia by friends, they say he was an entrepreneur like no other and was someone who’d tell you to follow your dreams.

“He was truly an unsung hero that you don’t hear about on the daily,” Moore said.

Police say a suspect is in custody, as they determine if an arrest will be made.

As for Moore, he said Amoia’s legacy will live on forever.

“Moving forward I know he’s watching down over us and he’s gonna guide us every step of the way and we have to stay strong for him and his family,” Moore said.

Man shot and killed outside of local bar

ORIGINAL STORY

The St. Augustine Police Department investigated a deadly shooting in downtown St. Augustine Saturday morning.

Officers say they received a call around 1:50 a.m. in the area of 66 Hypolita Street in reference to some kind of alteration and multiple shots fired.

When officers arrived at the scene they found a man dead. Another man was taken into custody.

The shooting shocked local Ken Ackerman, who works at a nearby restaurant.

“For this to hit our little city is just heartbreaking,” he said. “It’s hard to believe what’s actually happened here.”

Investigators are trying to determine what caused the altercation.

“Rarely do we encounter anything like this but we are prepared,” said Dee Brown, a spokesperson with St. Augustine Police Department.

Officers are investigating witnesses.

The police department has not said who the man was that was taken into custody.

St. Augustine also pointed out there is no threat to the public, especially in light of the busy holiday weekend.

“[There are] no worries for the community,” Brown added.

“People down south are coming here,” Ackerman pointed out. “People from the north are coming here to get away from crime, wherever.”

It’s a getaway that he says hasn’t changed.

“Please come to St. Augustine, it is great,” he said. “It’s a kick-back town, just because of this one incident — don’t [let] it discourage you from coming, please come to St. Augustine. You will love it.”

Beyond welcoming visitors, Ackerman says the people who live here stick together.

“St. Augustine is so much like family,” he said. “We’re so close, we look after each other.”

Looking out means reaching out during times like this.

“I will be going back to find out from the rest of the family who it was and give my condolences to the family,” Ackerman added.

The St. Augustine Police Department has not identified the victim.

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