GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Gainesville Police Department Chief Nelson Moya has released the identities of the victim and the shooter involved in yesterday’s deadly shooting at a lumber store along East University Avenue.
According to Chief Moya, the victim has been identified as Eduardo P. Rodriguez, 23. Rodriguez was fatally shot inside Imeca Lumber and Hardware, located at 1201 E. University Avenue.
The shooter was identified as Justin Dewayne Long, 31, who resides in the 300 block of County Road 234. Investigators say Long parked his vehicle at a nearby KFC, then entered the lumber store, where he shot Rodriguez.
While addressing the Gainesville City Commission, Chief Moya stated that investigators believe there was “the appearance of an onset of a mental health issue” involved in the incident. He added that the victim was “sadly selected randomly,” indicating there was no known prior connection between Rodriguez and the shooter.
Following the shooting, Long was involved in a confrontation with Gainesville Police Department officers, resulting in an officer-involved shooting. The incident remains under active investigation, and additional details have not yet been released.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to this case to contact Gainesville Police Department Detectives at 352-393-7700.
