Gainesville officials praise first responders after downtown shooting; police identify victims

Mayor Ward opened the Jan. 15 meeting by adding an item to the agenda to address a shooting that occurred the previous morning and to thank first responders for their work. Chief Nelson Moya gave a detailed briefing, saying officers arrived almost immediately after a 911 call reporting a shot near 1300 East University and engaged a suspect who was “ultimately neutralized and pronounced deceased shortly thereafter.” He identified the slain employee as 23‑year‑old Eduardo Prado Rodriguez and the assailant as 31‑year‑old Justin Long. Chief Moya told the commission investigators were finding “very little to no connection to the business” and said early evidence shows the victim was selected at random and that a mental‑health episode appears involved. “There was…a hellacious gunfight that ensued,” Moya said, describing the intensity of the response and praising officers’ training and coordination.

Commissioners and city staff repeatedly thanked police, Gainesville Fire Rescue, Alachua County partners and community groups for their actions, and emphasized immediate outreach to those affected. Commissioner Duncan Walker said the city should “choose hope” while also centering mental‑health support, and encouraged continued partnerships for crisis intervention. Gainesville Fire Rescue leaders and community response teams described ongoing efforts: Brandy Stone noted the city’s community‑resource paramedicine and partnerships with Meridian HealthCare, UF Health and county victim services; Britney Coleman said street‑level prevention and Impact GNV supports were already active in affected neighborhoods.

Mayor Ward and the city manager said they would prioritize community callouts and door‑to‑door outreach in East Gainesville so people directly impacted can access services. Officials also confirmed two Gainesville police officers were transported for treatment and are recovering. The commission emphasized this incident as an anomaly amid multi‑agency efforts to prevent and respond to violence; city leaders urged residents to use available mental‑health and crisis resources and signaled continued coordination with county and state partners as investigations continue.

The city said the response remains active and that further factual updates would be released once families have been notified and investigators can provide additional details. The commission did not take a formal policy vote but directed staff to continue community outreach and to report back on immediate service needs for families and neighborhoods affected.