GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A series of shootings over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in Gainesville, Florida, left one person dead and six others injured.
According to Brandon Hatzel, spokesperson for the Gainesville Police Department (GPD), the first two shootings occurred Friday morning near the University of Florida, resulting in injuries to two individuals. Later that afternoon, a third shooting took place on West Newberry Road, where a man was shot and taken to a local hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect turned himself in to the GPD on Saturday, but his identity has not been released as the investigation continues.
Early Sunday morning, as a large block party on Southwest 5th Avenue was dispersing, multiple shots were fired. GPD officers responded and found two victims with non-life-threatening injuries. Medical attention was provided to them at a local hospital. Additionally, a third victim, who was shot in the leg, was taken to the hospital by a friend.
In a separate incident, a juvenile male was shot in the leg around 3:20 a.m. on Sunday near a McDonald’s on East University Avenue. He was transported to a local hospital and is currently in stable condition after emergency responders stabilized his condition. Hatzel stated that the GPD has yet to identify the suspects involved in these Sunday morning shootings, and investigations are ongoing.
The string of shootings has left the Gainesville community on edge as residents and authorities grapple with the rise in gun violence. Those with information are asked to come forward in order to find those responsible for the attacks.
The holiday weekend, typically associated with gratitude and celebration, has been marred by violence in Gainesville. As law enforcement continues its efforts to apprehend the suspects, the community remains vigilant and hopeful for a swift resolution to these incidents.
Update:
A man has been arrested in connection with a shooting in Gainesville that resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left one person injured early Sunday morning. The suspect, identified as Ja’zier Myers, has been charged with murder and attempted murder after allegedly shooting two victims at close range before injuring a third as they attempted to flee the scene.
According to surveillance video footage, Myers was captured at Body Tech on University Avenue. At approximately 2:40 a.m., he is seen walking past the first victim and shooting them in the head. Minutes later, around 2:42 a.m., Myers proceeded to the neighboring Checkers establishment, where he allegedly shot the remaining two victims.
Gainesville Police officers, who were conducting crowd control in the vicinity, immediately responded to the sound of gunshots. Myers was apprehended at the scene, found inside a stranger’s vehicle with a firearm in his possession. Although Myers denied any involvement in the murders, claiming a possible drug-induced state and lack of memory of the events, he has been charged accordingly.
The motive behind the shooting remains unknown at this time, and investigators are working diligently to determine the circumstances leading up to the incident. The Gainesville Police Department is urging anyone with information that may aid in the investigation to come forward.
This tragic incident has left the Gainesville community in shock and mourning for the lives lost. The identities of the victims have not been released, pending notification of their families. As the investigation progresses, authorities are also examining surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to piece together a clearer picture of the events that unfolded.
The Gainesville Police Department is committed to bringing justice to the victims and their families, working hand in hand with the local community to ensure the safety and security of all residents. Updates on the case will be provided as they become available.