Just before 8 a.m. on Wednesday, a routine morning in Gainesville, Florida, turned into a scene of chaos and heartache at Imeca Lumber & Hardware on East University Avenue. The 23-year-old employee, Eduardo Pardo Rodriguez, was shot and killed inside the store in what police now believe was a random act of violence.
Police Chief Nelson Moya told city leaders the suspected shooter was 31-year-old Justin Dewayne Long, who had parked his car near a KFC before walking into the lumber yard and opening fire. There’s no known connection between Long and the store or Rodriguez, and investigators say early signs point to a possible mental health crisis rather than a targeted attack.
People inside and around the busy business district were stunned as the sound of gunshots echoed just as the morning rush was beginning. Before officers could fully secure the scene, Long fled in his vehicle, prompting a rapid police response. Two officers arrived moments later and attempted to stop him.
Instead of surrendering, Long exited his vehicle and opened fire again, this time at the responding officers. What followed was a tense exchange of gunfire. Additional officers on the scene returned fire, striking Long. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Two Gainesville police officers were hit during the confrontation — one in the arm and the other in the leg — but neither wound was life-threatening. Both were treated at UF Health Shands Hospital and released later that same afternoon. Chief Moya praised their bravery, saying their actions helped prevent further harm.
As the community reels from the tragedy, city officials have emphasized that there is no ongoing threat. Commissioners spoke at a meeting Thursday about the impact the shooting has had on East Gainesville and the importance of supporting residents and local businesses. They also stressed that a sharp drop in violent crime over recent years shows this incident is a painful outlier rather than a trend.
Investigators continue to dig into Long’s movements leading up to the shooting and to build a clearer picture of what motivated him. Meanwhile, friends, family, and co-workers of Eduardo Pardo Rodriguez are left grieving a young life cut short in a place he had come to work on a quiet morning.
At the heart of this story is a community trying to make sense of sudden loss, and the officers whose quick response prevented even greater tragedy — an ordinary Gainesville morning that will be remembered long after the sun set on East University Avenue.
