PALATKA, Fla. — A tragic Christmas Day shooting in Palatka left two men dead and another injured, sparking an ongoing investigation into the violence that erupted late Sunday evening. Authorities reported that the incident followed a party in neighboring St. Johns County, leading to an afterparty that culminated in gunfire on North 19th Street.
Officers who were called to the scene to disperse a crowd from a parking lot heard gunshots emanating from across the street near the Palatka Daily News building on St. Johns Avenue. The shooting claimed the lives of 17-year-old Dorrion McKinnon and 23-year-old Tyree Gilyard, and left 21-year-old Dazial Dennis wounded.
During the initial response, police discovered Gilyard deceased next to a handgun, while McKinnon, who also succumbed to his injuries at a hospital, was found with a rifle. Dennis, who was hospitalized, has since been released and is expected to fully recover.
Investigators have collected multiple pieces of evidence from the scene, including the firearms found near the victims. The evidence is currently undergoing forensic analysis as part of the investigation.
The violent outbreak not only led to casualties but also resulted in damage to the Palatka Daily News building, which was struck multiple times by bullets. Fortunately, no staff members were inside at the time of the shooting.
Authorities believe more individuals were involved in the incident, and have identified several persons of interest. They suspect that these individuals played significant roles in the events that unfolded.
As the investigation continues, local police urge anyone with information to come forward to aid in piecing together the events that led to the unfortunate fatalities and injuries. The community is also reassured that all measures are being taken to apprehend those responsible to prevent further violence.
Community members have been left shaken by the events, and local officials are calling for concerted efforts to address the factors contributing to such public outbreaks of violence. They emphasize the need for continued collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the community to foster a safer environment.
The Palatka Police Department has requested that anyone with information related to the shooting contact them directly or reach out to Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida. This appeal is part of an effort to engage the community and gather as much information as possible to resolve the case swiftly and bring closure to the families of the victims.