Crime
Suspect and victim killed in East University Avenue shooting identified
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Gainesville Police Department Chief Nelson Moya has identified the suspect accused of fatally shooting a lumber store employee and wounding two officers during a confrontation Wednesday morning.
During a Gainesville City Commission meeting on Thursday, Chief Moya confirmed the shooter as Justin Dewayne Long, 31, of the 300 block of County Road 234.
According to police, the incident began shortly before 8:00 a.m. at Imeca Lumber & Hardware, located at 1201 East University Avenue.
Investigators said Long parked his vehicle at a nearby KFC before entering the business, where he allegedly opened fire.
Eduardo Pardo Rodriguez, 23, an employee of the store, was struck and later pronounced dead.
Chief Moya told commissioners that authorities have found no apparent connection between the suspect and the business or the victim.
“Sadly, we are learning that there is very little to no connection to the business,” Moya said. “In fact, we are quickly learning that there is the appearance of an onset of a mental health issue here, and that the victim, who was tragically selected, appears to have been chosen at random.”
Gainesville police officers responding to reports of gunfire observed Long attempting to flee the area in a vehicle.
As officers moved to stop him, officials say Long exited the car and began firing at police.
Two additional officers arrived to assist, and a gunfight ensued.
Long was struck during the exchange and transported to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Two Gainesville police officers were wounded in the confrontation and were taken to UF Health Shands Hospital for treatment and evaluation.
Both officers were released later Wednesday afternoon.
Chief Moya reiterated that the investigation remains ongoing and emphasized the department’s commitment to determining the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the suspect’s actions prior to the incident.
“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, the employees affected by this tragedy, and the officers who put themselves in harm’s way,” Moya said.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.