A 31-year-old man shot and killed a store employee at a Gainesville lumber and hardware business just before 8 a.m. on Jan. 14, then opened fire on responding officers as he tried to flee, wounding two before he was shot by police and later died at a hospital, authorities said.
The shooting rattled East Gainesville’s morning rush and left a well-known shop on East University Avenue closed behind police tape for hours. Officials identified the slain employee as 23-year-old Eduardo Pardo Rodriguez of Gainesville and the suspect as Justin Dewayne Long, 31. Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya said two officers — Sgt. Rob Kennedy and Officer Jessie Herringshaw — were hit during the gunfight. Both were treated and released the same day. Detectives said early evidence points to a random attack inside Imeca Lumber & Hardware, with no clear link between Long and the business.
Just before 8 a.m. Wednesday, callers reported gunfire at Imeca Lumber & Hardware near East University Avenue and Waldo Road. Officers arrived within minutes and saw a red car leaving the area that matched witness descriptions. As they attempted a stop, investigators said the driver — later identified as Long — got out and immediately began shooting in what the chief called an ambush. Additional officers returned fire. Long was struck, taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. “Their actions prevented further harm to the public,” Moya said at a briefing outside the cordoned-off corridor. Bullet markers stretched across the pavement as detectives documented casings near storefronts along the block.
Inside the business, employees had tried to reach Pardo Rodriguez after the first shots. He was found fatally wounded on the premises and pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the initial review shows the employee was “selected randomly.” The wounded officers suffered injuries to an arm and a leg, respectively, according to officials familiar with their care. Both were evaluated at UF Health Shands and discharged hours later. Detectives collected a handgun at the scene and were working to confirm whether it matched shell casings found both outside the store and near the traffic stop location. Authorities did not immediately specify how many rounds were fired.
Imeca Lumber & Hardware sits on a busy stretch that links neighborhoods east of downtown to major corridors. Morning commuters, students and shop workers saw a rapid law-enforcement response as East University Avenue was closed between key cross streets for most of the day. Mayor Harvey Ward and city commissioners discussed the shooting during a public meeting, noting recent declines in the area’s homicide count and praising fast action by workers who called 911. A friend of Pardo Rodriguez described him as hardworking and popular with customers, saying he “had a bright future” at the store.
Police said early witness interviews and surveillance video suggest Long entered the store alone before the shooting. Investigators were reviewing cameras from nearby businesses and traffic poles to trace his movements before and after the attack. The department did not release a detailed timeline beyond the initial call just before 8 a.m. Detectives are also examining whether any prior contacts or calls for service involved the suspect at or near the location. The chief told commissioners that early indicators pointed to mental health issues but cautioned that the motive remains under review. The medical examiner’s office will complete autopsy work for both the homicide victim and the suspect.
Two blocks of East University Avenue remained closed into the afternoon as evidence technicians mapped trajectories and photographed storefronts with visible damage. Officers collected electronic data from patrol vehicles and body-worn cameras for routine review. The agency said it will coordinate the officer-involved shooting investigation with outside agencies under standard protocols. Meanwhile, store representatives planned to help employees access counseling and set up a memorial for Pardo Rodriguez. Community groups in District One discussed ways to support workers and nearby residents affected by the gunfire and street closures.
Next steps include additional lab testing on recovered casings and any firearm, as well as a fuller briefing once detectives complete key interviews. Prosecutors will review the investigative file in the coming weeks, including ballistic reports and video evidence. City officials said they expect updates as soon as lab results return and as internal critical-incident reviews progress. Funeral arrangements for Pardo Rodriguez were not immediately announced. The police department said any new information — including finalized timelines and additional findings — will be released through routine updates.
By evening, the roadway reopened and most visible signs of the crime scene had cleared, but flowers and handwritten notes began to appear near the store’s entrance. “He was the best person in the world,” a coworker said, standing near stacked lumber where customers often chatted with staff. Across the street, a barber swept brass from his doorway while a passerby paused to snap a photo of the taped-off glass. Several residents stopped to ask officers about the wounded sergeant and officer; both were said to be recovering at home.
As of Sunday, Gainesville police said the investigation into the store killing and the subsequent ambush remains active. A public update is expected after key forensic results return and detectives finish reviewing surveillance footage gathered along East University Avenue and surrounding blocks.
Author note: Last updated January 25, 2026.