City and County Grapple with Several Shootings Over Past Two Months
From April through May, there have been several shootings in Alachua County and the City of Gainesville, resulting in eight injuries and three deaths.
Reflections Apartments Shooting:
On April 13, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies responded to the Reflections Apartments to find Aaviel Javion Hester-Guadalupe dead from a gunshot wound to his forehead.
A few weeks after the shooting, ACSO announced they charged Zaytarious Chisolm with homicide for killing Hester-Guadalupe. Chisolm also faces charges of vehicle theft, grand theft of a firearm and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Chisolm was staying at Hester-Guadalupe’s residence for a week prior to the shooting, according to the arrest report.
The press release by ACSO states a witness "told detectives they had contact with Chisolm after the incident. Chisolm told the witness details about the victim’s death and saw Chisolm with the victim’s gun.”
According to the arrest report, a witness told police “she was contacted by [Chisolm] around [3:00 a.m. on April 11]. [She] stated that [Chisolm] was very upset and crying and he told her that he woke up to [Hester-Guadalupe] pointing a firearm at him. He stated that he wrestled the gun away from [Hester-Guadalupe] and then shot him once in the head killing him. The witness stated that she observed blood on [Chisolm’s] arm. [Chisolm] told [her] that he stole the victim's car and ditched it around the corner from [her] residence and he needed to hide a handgun temporarily at [her] residence. [She] observed [Chisolm] with the handgun and explained to law enforcement that the gun was chocolate brown in color and had a gold trigger.”
Chisolm is being held without bond in the Alachua County Jail.
TB McPhearson Park Shooting:
Surveillance footage from TB McPhearson Park Shooting released by GPD
On April 20, two people were injured and a woman was killed by gunfire at TB McPherson Park. The shooting occurred shortly after an Easter event.
The TB McPearson shooting prompted a long discussion between officials at the following City Commission General Policy meeting. Commissioners addressed the victim, Ontaria Baisden, on numerous occasions throughout the meeting, as she had yet to succumb to her wounds in the hospital.
City Manager Cynthia Curry said she would take “disciplinary actions” because the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) acquired a permit for the event without telling her.
On May 20, GPD asked for anyone with information on the shooting to come forward.
Butler Plaza Walmart Shooting:
On April 30, a former employee of the Butler Plaza Walmart, Drevon Parker, shot a current employee, Antwain Johnson.
Parker turned himself in shortly after the shooting and was booked for attempted homicide, court records show.
Johnson’s wife is raising money for his treatment on GoFundMe, as he’s required multiple surgeries and will need physical therapy.
On Monday, Parker's defense counsel made a motion to dismiss his case. The motion alleges that Parker was defending his girlfriend from Johnson and his wife and that Parker only fired shots after Johnson punched him.
According to the arrest report, multiple witnesses told police Johnson punched Parker before he shot him.
Downtown Prom After-Party Shooting:
On May 18 at 12:45 a.m., GPD officers responded to a person shot in downtown Gainesville near SW 1st Ave and SW 1st St.
GPD reported on their Facebook page, “During a high school prom afterparty event, there was a disturbance/physical altercation... that led to shots being fired and one juvenile victim being struck. He was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Two unidentified persons of interest were captured on surveillance video. One is a white male with blond hair in a bun wearing a dark-colored shirt, shorts, and dark-colored shoes and the other is a white male wearing a purple-ish shirt and ball cap. In the surveillance video angles provided, both individuals can be seen running away after the shooting. GPD detectives urge anyone with information regarding the shooting or these individuals to contact Det. Bernal directly at 352-393-7729 or bernalvl@cityofgainesville.org. You may also remain anonymous and contact Alachua County Crime Stoppers at 352-372-7867 or submit online tips at www.stopcrime.tv.”
Surveillance footage of persons of interest released by GPD
On May 27, GPD thanked people for providing information and videos, and released additional footage of the persons of interest.
Surveillance footage of persons of interest released by GPD
NW County RD 235 Neighborhood Shooting:
On May 11, ACSO responded to a small neighborhood off NW County Rd 235 after getting a call from the victim reporting Max Barreto was standing on their porch and yelling at them while shooting a gun.
Barreto was arrested and charged with four counts of aggravated assault for shooting at the residence while four people were inside. He also faces a count of burglary, property damage and resisting an officer without violence, court records show.
Barreto is being held in the Alachua County Jail without bond.
SE County RD 24 Shooting:
On May 22, ACSO responded to an armed disturbance at a residence off SE County Rd 24.
The victims told police they were entering their residence and found 81-year-old John Webb illegally occupying the house.
According to the arrest report, Webb shot towards the ceiling when the victims told him he couldn’t be at the house. Webb reportedly shot at the victims’ vehicle when they fled the scene.
Webb is facing three counts of attempted murder, one for each victim, along with a count of aggravated assault.
Webb is being held in the Alachua County Jail without bond.
David’s BBQ Shooting:
(Updated June 5 with further information.)
Daniel Levi Jordan, 33, Christian Alexander Butler, 23, were arrested on May 24 after a domestic dispute at David's BBQ led to a shooting.
Jordan faces one count of aggravated battery and two counts of property damage while Butler faces one count of attempted murder, one count of shooting into a building and one count of shooting from a vehicle.
According to Jordan's arrest report, he smashed the victim's vehicle window with a hammer, causing at least $500 in damages. He then forced her onto the ground, took her phone out of her hands and smashed it on the ground.
According to Butler's arrest report, the victim called him to ask for help.
Butler's arrest report states that he "pulled his vehicle in front of [Jordan's] vehicle, pointed a handgun at [him] through the passenger window, and fired twice striking the vehicle [he] was in while attempting to kill him. [Butler] then fled the scene but soon returned and pointed a firearm at [Jordan] before leaving again with [the victim]."
The victim initially told police Butler didn't have a gun, but then stated Jordan crashed his vehicle into him and Butler fired in response.
Jordan told police he tried to drive around Butler but both vehicles side swiped each other. Jordan said Butler fired at him after the crash.
Butler told police that when the victim called him he heard screaming. He said that Jordan rear ended him twice and that he didn't have a gun.
Butler also has an open case for stalking from eariler this year. The police report states he texted the victim manipulative messages and showed up to her workplace after she left him due to domestic violence and abuse.
Butler is being held in Alachua County Jail without bond.
Jordan was released on a $100,200 bond.
Linton Oaks Neighborhood Shooting:
On May 24, ACSO deputies responded to the Linton Oaks neighborhood after a person was shot.
ACSO reported on Facebook, “There is very limited information at this time and Deputies are asking that you please stay out of the area as they establish a perimeter and look for suspect (s).”
ACSO hasn’t released any updates on the incident, and there doesn't appear to have been any arrests.
Newberry Shooting:
On May 25, ACSO deputies responded to NW 7th Place, west of NW 252nd Street in Newberry, after receiving reports of a person shot and killed.
ACSO reported on Facebook the day of the incident that the “preliminary findings of this incident lead detectives to believe that the people involved know one another and that this was not a random act of violence.”
While on the scene, deputies arrested David Martin after he said he was the shooter, according to his arrest report. However, Martin was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and obstructing justice, not homicide.
On May 26, the family of the shooting victim, Harley Van Leer, told TV20 they want answers and believe more people may have been involved. The outlet reported that deputies are “investigating whether Florida’s Stand Your Ground law may apply to the case.”
On May 27, ACSO published another update on the shooting, stating, “This investigation remains in its early stages. While Deputies, Detectives, and Crime Scene Investigators have interviewed several witnesses and gathered substantial evidence, many questions remain. Our Detectives are committed to thoroughly examining all aspects of this case to determine the circumstances that led to the tragic death of Mr. Van Leer. The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to Mr. Leer’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time."
According to the arrest report, Martin fled the scene after the shooting and handed off the firearm to another individual.
Martin reportedly told police the firearm he used during the incident was a 9mm Glock 19 Gen 5 with a laser/strobe light and extended 17-round magazine.
The arrest report states, "During the on-scene investigation, ACSO deputies identified a witness who observed a biracial male matching the description of [Martin] run to a grill located near her residence and conceal an item. ACSO Forensics personnel recovered a 9mm Glock 19 Gen5 with a laser/strobe light and extended 17-round magazine from the grill. During the interview, [Martin] was questioned further regarding the firearm and what he had done with it after the shooting. He stated that he gave it to a ‘friend’ of his and described this friend as being a 6'01" to 6'02" Caucasian male with long hair.”
Martin is being held in the Alachua County Jail on a $500,000 bond but his public defender has motioned to reduce it. The motion will be heard on June 5.
If any shootings from April and May were missed please contact us.
