In the left photo, Kandice Jo Pierce of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office; the right shows Public Storage in Palm Bay, Florida (Google Maps).
A 40‑year‑old woman allegedly fired at a storage‑facility employee after the employee discovered her sleeping inside a unit, which breaches the lease.
Authorities have charged Kandice Jo Pierce with attempted murder.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office reports that the shooting took place around 10 a.m. on Saturday at Public Storage, located on the 4000 block of Babcock Street in Palm Bay.
A probable‑cause affidavit reveals that the employee was making her morning rounds when she noticed two women apparently residing in a unit. She informed them that living or sleeping there violated policy. Pierce responded, insisting, “I’m the one that rented the unit and they should be allowed to stay there,” according to police.
The employee offered to let them go without notifying management if they left. As the employee started to walk away, Pierce called her back. Suddenly, the employee heard a loud bang, felt a sharp pain in her face, and realized she had been shot.
Pierce fled the scene, while the employee ducked under a desk and dialed 911. Police noted a small entry wound beneath the employee’s eye, with the bullet still lodged in her face.
Officers later recovered two spent shell casings near the unit.
Investigators linked Pierce to the incident after confirming her name on the lease.
A detective from a neighboring agency, who had assisted Pierce with housing a month earlier, disclosed that the other occupant was Pierce’s 16‑year‑old daughter. Deputies later located the teenager at a nearby gas station.
According to the affidavit, the girl testified that her mother, angry about being evicted from the storage unit, fired twice at the employee.
Although Pierce was not with her daughter, deputies later spotted her in front of a nearby business and placed her under arrest. She is now held at the Brevard County Jail without bond, with her next court appearance scheduled for Nov. 10.
Leave a Reply