Both Are Now Charged. One Shot In Face, Other In Arm.
BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOYNTON BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Boynton Beach Police say two roommates shot each other on Wednesday. They are now both charged with aggravated assault and other violations.
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Kempes Derilus is charged with “aggravated battery — person uses a deadly weapon” and “possession of weapon or ammunition by gang related felon or delinquent,” while Kalicia Bertrand is charged with “possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted Florida felon” and “aggravated battery — cause bodily harm or disability.”
Booking photos for both were still being processed mid-morning.
Here is the narrative from a Boynton Beach Police Report obtained by BocaNewsNow.com:
Boynton Beach Officers were dispatched to the 2000 block of NW 2nd St. in reference to shots fired. Officers ultimately made contact with two separate victims. One male, suffering from a gunshot wound to the mouth, was being transported to the hospital by a family member. The victim was identified to be Kalicia Bertrand. The second victim was located on the floor inside of the residence of 2021 NW 2nd St. suffering from a gunshot wound to the arm. The victim with the gunshot wound to the arm was identified to be Kempes Derilus. Both subjects were transported to Delray Medical Center where they were treated for their injuries.
A witness located at the scene advised that both subjects were having a heated argument in the front yard of 2021 NW 2nd St. prior to the shooting. The witness advised that the subjects both live together in the rear efficiency and walked into their apartment where the argument continued.
The witness heard the first gunshot come from within the apartment. After taking cover for a brief moment, the witness then looked outside and saw Bertrand walk towards the northeast corner of the property. It was observed by the witness that Bertrand was bleeding from the mouth. The witness advised that Bertrand then turned back towards the driveway, where Derilus was standing, Bertrand raised a handgun and began firing several times.
BBPD Crime scene eventually located two 9mm shell casings where the witness advised Bertrand was shooting from. Detectives conducted sworn taped interviews with both Bertrand and Derilus at Delray Medical Center. Both subjects admitted to being involved in a verbal argument prior to the shooting. Bertrand informed Detectives that Derilus pulled a small caliber firearm and shot him in the face.
Bertrand claimed that he did not know how Derilus got shot. Derilus informed Detectives that Bertrand pushed him to the ground during the argument and shot him in the arm. A criminal history check for Bertrand revealed that he was convicted of within the state of Florida. Based on the above mentioned facts, probable cause has been established to charge Bertrand with one count of Aggravated Battery with a deadly weapon and one count of FL Felon in possession of a firearm.
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