Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Fatal Shooting at San Marco Villas

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) is investigating a deadly shooting that occurred Tuesday night in the San Marco Villas community in Lake Park, Florida. Authorities confirmed Wednesday morning that the victim, 19-year-old Quantavis Bellamy, succumbed to his injuries after being transported to a local hospital.

This tragic incident highlights not only the ongoing impact of gun violence in residential communities but also the potential civil legal remedies available to surviving families who are left seeking justice and accountability.

According to investigators, deputies were notified Tuesday evening when a man with gunshot wounds was dropped off at a nearby hospital. The victim was later identified as Quantavis Bellamy, age 19. Despite emergency medical treatment, Bellamy was pronounced dead Wednesday morning.

Deputies traced the incident back to the 700 block of Venice Circle in the San Marco Villas complex, where the shooting is believed to have occurred. PBSO confirmed that the case is being investigated as a homicide.

As of now, no arrests have been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The Legal Aftermath of Fatal Shootings in Florida

While criminal investigations focus on identifying and prosecuting the person responsible for the shooting, families may also have the right to pursue civil claims for wrongful death under Florida law. Civil lawsuits are separate from criminal cases and are aimed at providing financial compensation and accountability for survivors.

Under the Florida Wrongful Death Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 768.16–768.26), surviving family members may be entitled to damages such as:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Medical expenses incurred before death
• Loss of companionship, support, and guidance
• Mental pain and suffering of surviving relatives
• Loss of future financial support the victim would have provided

When shootings occur at apartment complexes, gated communities, or other residential properties, families may also explore negligent security claims. Florida law requires property owners and management companies to take reasonable security measures to protect residents and visitors from foreseeable crimes.

A property owner or management company may be liable if:

• The property had a history of criminal activity but security was not improved.
• There was a lack of basic security features such as lighting, gates, or surveillance cameras.
• Security personnel were not present, not properly trained, or failed to intervene.
• Access controls (such as locks, gates, or visitor management systems) were inadequate.

Civil claims do more than provide financial relief. They can:

• Uncover accountability beyond the criminal offender, including corporate or property management negligence.
• Promote safer communities by pressuring landlords, HOAs, and property owners to implement stronger security measures.
• Help families rebuild after the loss of a loved one by covering expenses and providing compensation for intangible losses.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families across Florida in wrongful death and negligent security cases. We fight to hold negligent property owners, corporations, and individuals accountable for preventable tragedies.

If your loved one has been killed due to gun violence in Florida, contact our attorneys today at 305-638-4143 for a free, confidential consultation. We handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.