The shooting was the result of a dispute over a narcotics transaction, Pinellas Park police said.

PINELLAS PARK – A St. Petersburg man has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting death of a man from Colorado, the Pinellas Park Police Department said.

Derrion Vontrell Rich, 24, of St. Petersburg, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and one count each of murder in the first degree, felon in possession of a firearm, armed trafficking in fentanyl, and armed trafficking in illegal drugs (heroin), according to Pinellas County Jail records. Police said Rich has a lengthy criminal history that includes various felony charges and multiple narcotics charges all that date back to January 2013.

The murder charge against Rich stemmed from the shooting death Friday (July 27) of Maurice A. Cole, 20, of Colorado Springs, CO. The shooting took place in the parking lot of the Bell Apartments, 4030 78th Ave. N. (See related story.)

Investigators said they believe that the shooting was the result of a dispute over a narcotics transaction that took place between Mr. Cole and Rich.

Pinellas Park Police | Crime | Murder | Arrests | Tampabay News

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