GAINESVILLE, Fla. —A chaotic scene unfolded during the morning rush hour Wednesday, leaving two people dead and two police officers wounded in what authorities described as a violent rampage that spilled from a local lumber yard onto a busy thoroughfare.
Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya confirmed that the suspected gunman and a victim found inside a nearby business are deceased. The violence erupted in the 1300 block of East University Avenue, bringing traffic and commerce to a standstill as gunfire rang out.
According to Chief Moya, the incident began when the suspect entered a lumber yard behind a KFC restaurant. Inside, the gunman “engaged the victim,” killing them. The suspect then walked back to his vehicle and attempted to flee, but was immediately met by responding officers.
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“As he attempted to flee, [he] was met by our officers,” Moya told reporters at the scene. “And the rest… resulted not only in essence neutralizing somebody who’s out to commit [violence], but also ensuring that the rest of our public was safe.”
During the exchange, two officers were struck by gunfire. Chief Moya visited both at Shands Hospital, noting that while one officer suffered a wound to an “upper extremity,” both were alert and are expected to make a full recovery.
“I assure you that this assailant had clear intent,” Moya said, describing the suspect’s actions as bold and violent. “We were not only lucky, but trained.”
The investigation has now split into a dual inquiry: the Gainesville Police Department is handling the homicide inside the lumber yard, while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has taken the lead on the officer-involved shooting. The FBI and ATF are also assisting due to the scale of the crime scene, which Moya described as “massive” with a “multitude of rounds” fired.
The Chief acknowledged the disruption to the community, apologizing for the road closures while crime scene units process the area. He emphasized that this level of violence is an “anomaly” for Gainesville, citing an 11% drop in crime in 2024 and a further 16% decrease in 2025.
“My message to our community here in Gainesville is to continue to do exactly what you’re doing,” Moya said. “Go about your lives… we have your back.”
East University Avenue remains closed as the investigation continues.
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