GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 20-year-old Florida man has been arrested after an unprovoked shooting rampage, killing two and injuring one.
On Sunday, July 30, 2023, at approximately 2:42 am, multiple officers were conducting an increased patrol in the area of 1000 West University Avenue in Gainesville, Florida.
Officers heard shots being fired from the area of 900 West University Avenue.
As officers arrived on the scene, one victim was found in front of a Checkers restaurant, and a second victim was found in the same area, flagging down officers.
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A third victim was found deceased in front of Body Tech., police say.
Gainesville Police Officer Velasquez was alerted by witnesses that the suspect was attempting to hide himself in their vehicle.
Velasquez saw the suspect standing near a vehicle, which she challenged the suspect, and he dropped his firearm. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
The investigation revealed that the suspect, identified as Ja’Zier Myers, 20, walked behind one victim, who was walking on the sidewalk in front of Body Tech Tattoos and shot him.
Police say Myers then walked westbound to Checkers and shot two more victims unprovoked. Myers then walked northbound through the parking lot and attempted to conceal himself in a parked vehicle, but the vehicle owner quickly confronted him and alerted officers arriving on the scene.
Two victims were pronounced deceased. Police say the third victim is in stable condition and expected to recover.
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GPD Detectives interviewed Myers. He identified himself in still photographs taken from surveillance video, holding a firearm on the scene of one of the shootings. He also identified himself standing at the scene of the second shooting.
Myers was charged with two counts of Homicide and one count of Attempted Homicide. Myers was transported to the Alachua County Department of the Jail.
“This is still an active and ongoing investigation, and GPD asks that anyone with information please contact Det. Whitney Williams at 352-393-7681 or Crimestoppers” said GPD.
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