photo by WJXT News4JAX
Two people were killed and a third was critically injured Wednesday night in a shooting near the Palatka Daily News parking lot, the Palatka Police Department said.
According to Palatka police, a party in St. Johns County spilled over into Palatka as an after-party, and officers were called around 9:40 p.m. to clear a parking lot of people on North 19th Street.
The officers at the scene heard several gunshots coming from across the street in front of the Palatka Daily News on St. Johns Avenue.
Officers said when they got to the property, they found three people shot. One died at the scene, a second died at the hospital and a third was taken to a trauma center with critical injuries.
Police have not yet released any identifying information about the shooting victims because they are working to contact their families.
A News4JAX source said the Palatka Daily News building was riddled with bullet holes, but thankfully no employees were inside the building during the shooting.
“We are saddened by the events which occurred on Christmas night that culminated in the vicinity of our building on St. Johns Avenue,” Publisher J M said. “No Palatka Daily News employees were working at the time. Our prayers are with the families who tragically lost loved ones, and we are grateful to the first responders who acted quickly to assist all involved. As journalists, we will continue to follow this investigation closely and provide updates to our community. As members of our community, we grieve the loss.”
Our source said as many as 60 shell casings were found at the scene, and police remained on the scene Thursday morning processing all the bullet holes inside the building.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Scene Unit and the State Attorney’s Office Homicide Investigative Unit were also called and are assisting Palatka PD detectives.
Palatka PD said more information will be released as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. Colten Lee or Sgt. David Lazo at 386-329-0115 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-8477.
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Source: news4jax
