APD asks public for information about Christmas Eve shooting

Staff report

ALACHUA, Fla. – Alachua Police Department (APD) is asking the public for any information about a shooting that occurred at 3:48 p.m. on December 24 at NW 141st Street (Main Street) and NW 158th Avenue, near Maude Lewis Park.

APD officers and Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded and located several spent shell casings in the roadway and on the sidewalk near Maude Lewis Park. No victim(s) or suspect(s) were located at the scene. Several interviews of nearby residents and nearby video surveillance determined that the suspect vehicle was a black newer-model Ford Escape. It was also discovered that approximately 13 shots were fired, and officers believe there was likely a single shooter.

After further investigation, a license plate for the suspect vehicle had been discovered, which revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen by the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) on December 23. Due to the nature of the crime, APD officers requested GPD to be on the lookout for the vehicle. At approximately 9:40 p.m., the suspect vehicle was located unoccupied in the Pine Ridge neighborhood by GPD.

APD’s Criminal Investigation Division is actively working this case. If you or someone you know has any information or videos pertaining to the case, please make contact via one of the following:

𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: (386) 462-1396 or APD Anonymous Tips

𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬: (352) 372-STOP(7867) or Crime Stoppers

  • If all the section 8 housing was in one area. Police could focus on that area. Was is Pine Ridge in the NW side of town. Police will clean out area or it gets to hot for criminals so they move to another one. They usually have a woman or family at each location.

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