A deadly confrontation unfolded Wednesday morning, January 14, 2026, at Imeca Lumber & Hardware in east Gainesville, Florida, claiming two lives and injuring two police officers.
Gainesville Police Department Chief Nelson Moya identified the shooter as 31-year-old Justin Dewayne Long during a city commission meeting the following day. The incident began just before 8:00 a.m. at the store located at 1201 East University Avenue, transforming a routine business morning into a scene of chaos and violence.
Investigators determined that Long parked his vehicle at a nearby KFC restaurant before walking to the lumber store. Upon entering Imeca Lumber & Hardware, he allegedly opened fire without apparent provocation, fatally striking 23-year-old employee Eduardo Pardo Rodriguez. Authorities described the attack on Rodriguez as random, with no known prior connection between the victim and the shooter, highlighting the sudden and senseless nature of the initial assault inside the business premises.
The situation escalated rapidly when Gainesville police officers responded to emergency calls reporting shots fired. As the first two officers arrived and approached the scene to address the active threat, Long ambushed them from his position, initiating a fierce exchange of gunfire.
In the intense shootout, Long wounded both responding officers with gunshot injuries that were ultimately deemed non-life-threatening. The officers returned fire, striking Long multiple times. Emergency medical personnel transported him to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter. The wounded officers received prompt treatment at UF Health Shands Hospital and are expected to recover fully, underscoring their resilience amid the perilous confrontation.
The Gainesville Police Department, in coordination with other agencies, continues to investigate the full sequence of events and potential motives behind Long’s actions. Chief Moya emphasized during updates that the shooter appeared to select his initial victim randomly while demonstrating deliberate aggression toward arriving police.
Eduardo Pardo Rodriguez lived a life defined by hard work and quiet contribution to his workplace and surroundings. As a young employee at the lumber store, his daily presence reflected dedication and reliability in serving the Gainesville community. His untimely passing leaves a profound sense of loss, remembered through a legacy of a life well lived with purpose and integrity in everyday endeavors.