Friend of man accused of murdering stranger then shooting 2 Gainesville officers speaks out

The Brief

  • Gainesville Police shot and killed a man who they say started opening fire on them Wednesday, Jan. 14.
  • Two officers were hurt in the shooting and are recovering.
  • Police say the suspect killed a different man before they were called to the scene.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. A friend of a man accused of murdering a stranger in a Gainesville lumberyard, then shooting at two officers, said she doesn’t want him to be remembered as a bad person. She described him as being a good father and a hard worker.

Two Gainesville Police officers were hurt in an officer-involved shooting after responding to a reported shooting Wednesday morning, Jan. 14, 2025.

What we know:

A long-time acquaintance of Justin D. Long, 31, said his actions, which included murdering a man – police believe – then shooting at two officers who responded to the shooting, were out of character.

Story continues

TRENDING NOW

LATEST LOCAL NEWS