GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A quiet Wednesday morning turned deadly in Gainesville after a gunman opened fire inside a local lumber store, killing a young employee and later wounding two police officers during a confrontation. Authorities say the violence appears to have been a random act, leaving a grieving family, shaken coworkers, and a stunned community searching for answers.
Gainesville Police Department Chief Nelson Moya identified the suspect as 31-year-old Justin Dewayne Long during a City Commission meeting on Thursday. Investigators said the incident began shortly before 8 a.m. at Imeca Lumber & Hardware on East University Avenue. Long reportedly parked his vehicle at a nearby fast-food restaurant before walking into the business moments before shots were fired.
Inside the store, police said Long allegedly opened fire without warning. Eduardo Pardo Rodriguez, 23, an employee of Imeca Lumber & Hardware, was struck by gunfire and critically injured. Despite emergency efforts, Rodriguez later died from his wounds. Chief Moya said investigators have found no connection between the suspect and the victim, adding to the heartbreak of a life lost at random while at work.
“Sadly, we are learning that there is very little to no connection to the business,” Moya said. He explained that investigators are seeing signs that Long may have been experiencing the onset of a mental health crisis, and that Rodriguez appears to have been selected randomly. Authorities are continuing to review the suspect’s background and actions leading up to the shooting.
Police officers responding to reports of gunfire quickly located Long as he attempted to flee the area in a vehicle. When officers moved in to stop him, officials said Long exited the vehicle and began shooting at police. Two additional officers arrived to assist, and a gunfight broke out near the scene, escalating the already chaotic situation.
Long was shot during the exchange and taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Two Gainesville police officers were wounded in the confrontation and transported to UF Health Shands Hospital for treatment and evaluation. Both officers were released later Wednesday afternoon and are expected to recover. Chief Moya said the investigation remains ongoing, while offering condolences to Rodriguez’s family and praising the officers who put themselves in danger to stop the violence.
