Crime
Shots fired near the University of Florida (UF) campus in Gainesville
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A tense police standoff is unfolding near the University of Florida campus after a gunman opened fire and barricaded himself inside an apartment complex on Monday.
According to the Gainesville Police Department, shots were fired from a unit at 102 Northwest 9th Terrace, a residential building located near the UF Human Resources facility but not on university property.
Authorities confirm that the incident began when law enforcement officers, including members of the Gainesville Police Department, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and University of Florida Police Department, attempted to serve a felony warrant related to narcotics violations.
The suspect—identified only by the name “Samuel”—allegedly fired at officers upon their arrival and made threats referencing a mass shooting.
In response, a multi-agency SWAT team established a secure perimeter, prompting the evacuation of all residents from the building.
Officers have also shut down a section of University Avenue between 8th and 10th Streets in both directions.
As of the latest update, negotiations are ongoing, and law enforcement officials indicated there is a “high likelihood” of resistance from the suspect.
At one point, police were heard over loudspeakers warning the suspect that he had “one minute to come out with his hands up.”
Despite the threat level, no injuries have been reported at this time. Authorities emphasize that there is no immediate threat to the University of Florida campus, but are urging the public to avoid the area as the situation remains active.
This is a developing story.
Further updates will be provided as more details become available.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.