VERO BEACH, Fla. — The family of Robert Trusty III is struggling to process his loss — but a family friend says what they want most is justice.
“I’m sure that it’s just a nightmare that he can't wake up from,” stated Michael Marsh, a long-time friend of Trust III's father.
Trusty III’s life was tragically cut short by gunfire last Thursday in a neighborhood near Vero Beach. The Indian River County Sheriff's Office is investigating the homicide.
Region Indian River County
Indian River County Sheriff's Office identifies victim near Vero Beach shooting
Marsh spoke with WPTV Reporter Zitlali Solache, remembering Trusty's impact in the community.
"His dad is my best friend, and we both watched each other's kids grow up," Marsh said. "To not be able to see him continue into fatherhood and grow up, and everything that you expected to see as a father, that hurts."
The family of 23-year-old Robert Trusty III are mourning — following the fatal shooting in Vero Beach last Thursday. Loved ones started a GoFundMe, as they will lay him to rest Aug 20th. pic.twitter.com/Yqb87MmI8P
— Zitlali Solache (@zitlalisolache) August 19, 2024
"You would never expect to bury your child and I think that’s the part right now that I just feel for him," said Marsh. "I couldn’t even fathom it."
Marsh is calling for solutions, following the tragedy. The family started a GoFundMe to ease funeral costs.
"He was a son, he was a brother, he was a nephew, he was someone in the church," Marsh said. "His life mattered to us all. There's never a reason to take another life and so senseless."
Loved ones feel confident an arrest will be made soon — as authorities say they have identified several persons of interest.
"The whole family is just rocked by it," said Marsh. "You can see from the mom’s side, the dad's side. Everyone is all on the same page and that is, we need a conclusion."
