On March 11, 2024, Joseph Mitchel Cardella, 19, of Melbourne, Florida, was fatally shot in the Vero Lake Estates neighborhood of Indian River County alongside another 19-year-old, Logan Thompson of Palm Bay. The two had traveled from Brevard County to Indian River County to sell about $3,000 worth of THC vape pens. Money was found scattered near the victims’ bodies and no weapons were located on the victims or in their vehicle, so investigators believe someone else fired the shots and that the killing was drug-related.

A 17-year-old resident of Fellsmere was arrested and is facing murder charges; the suspect claimed self-defense but authorities described his account as inconsistent. A witness who was present reported the incident to his parents, who took him to the police station; that witness later helped detectives locate the gun used in the shooting. The sheriff called the deaths senseless, noting the two young men were killed over vape pens.

If anyone knew Joseph, Logan, or has information about the transaction that brought them to Vero Lake Estates, please come forward to assist the investigation.