Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau

Andrea Vivona (Arrested)
DOB: 01/24/1989
Address: Transient
Arrested for one count felon in possession of a firearm.

Melvin Woodward (aka Woodard) (Arrested)
DOB: 08/07/1988
Address: Transient
Arrested for one count felon in possession of a firearm.

Ernest Brown III (Arrested)
DOB: 09/13/1981
Address: 1141 9^th Street Northwest, Largo
Arrested for child abuse and culpable negligence.

What:
Deputies have arrested three suspects in connection with a shots fired call at a local hotel.

When:
Deputies responded to the call at about 10:46 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2015.

Where:
The incident occurred at the Rodeway Inn located at 16405 US 19 North in Clearwater.

Why/How:
Deputies responded to the Rodeway Inn following reports of gunshots fired/heard.

Upon arrival deputies located several shell casings in the parking lot, as well as on the third floor outdoor breezeway of the hotel.

Deputies made contact with 26-year-old Andrea Vivona and 27-year-old Melvin Woodward.

Deputies determined that a gun fight had ensued on the back (east) side of the hotel and through various investigative techniques tied Vivona and Woodward to the exchange of gunfire.

Both were arrested for one count each of felon in possession of a firearm and subsequently transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

Deputies say a firearm was recovered at the scene.

Additionally, deputies have arrested 33-year-old Ernest Brown III for child abuse and culpable negligence after they determined he had provided a gun to a minor involved in the shots fired call at the hotel. The minor, who will not be identified, faces misdemeanor charges for discharge of a firearm. Brown was arrested in Largo and transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

According to deputies, witnesses reported seeing various cars leave the scene following the shots being fired.

The investigation continues.