Arrest made in Gator Liquor shooting

Press release from Gainesville Police Department

On Friday, May 15, at about 10:08 p.m., the Combined Communication Center received several calls in reference to shots fired and persons shot at Southeast Gator Liquor, located at 2305 SE Hawthorne Road. The initial investigation revealed that a large crowd had migrated to the liquor store after dispersing from a block party that was held in Lincoln Estates. Upon law enforcement’s arrival, officers located several shell casings and blood at the liquor store and on the corner of SE 23rd Street and SE 8th Avenue. Several vehicles were also struck by gunshots.

A total of five subjects sustained gunshot wounds/injuries and were treated at local hospitals. Shortly after the shooting, one of the subjects, Deorlos Kawanne Anderson, Jr., 22, arrived at his grandmother’s residence just a few blocks away from the liquor store and advised her that he had been shot in the eye. Anderson was transported by EMS and treated at Shands Hospital. Anderson underwent surgery, and it was determined that he was not shot but sustained glass or a fragment in his left eye.

During further investigation, Anderson was identified as one of the shooters. The vehicle that Anderson took to his grandmother’s residence was located in the front yard of his grandmother’s residence when law enforcement arrived there. A firearm was located on the driver’s side floorboard; that firearm had been reported stolen. Law enforcement advised that the firearm had a smell of gunpowder, as if it had recently been fired.

On Monday, May 25, Gainesville Police Department (GPD) detectives applied for and obtained an arrest warrant for Anderson. He is currently being charged with one count of attempted murder, possession of firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed firearm: unlicensed, and grand theft of a firearm. On Wednesday, May 28, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Anderson was located and arrested in Gardenia Gardens. Anderson was transported to GPD for further investigation and then transported to the Alachua County Jail. Additional charges are pending this on-going investigation.

Detectives are still actively investigating this case, following up on leads, and collecting and evaluating evidence. We are asking any members of the public who have knowledge of this case to please contact Det. J. Castor at 352-872-2101 or the Alachua County Crime Stoppers at 352-372-STOP.