Shots Fired on University of Florida Campus; Suspects in Custody, Charged
ByThe University of Florida (UF) alerted its Gainesville campus of shots being fired early Monday morning and that a suspect was in custody.
UF posted its first alert on Twitter at 3:21 a.m. ET, indicating the incident took place at the parking lot of Murphree Hall. The alert listed "suspects" were possibly two white males who left in a blue Mazda truck.
20 minutes later, the school tweeted that University Police took a "suspect with [a] firearm" into custody. The latest alert mentioned the blue Mazda truck as well, but called those believed to be in it "[possible] witnesses."
According to WUFT, police arrested Clay Shanks, 25, and his girlfriend, Sarah Gooden, 21. Police said Shanks was fighting with a third person before pulling a gun out of Gooden's bag and firing several shots, though none were aimed at anyone in particular. Shanks fled on foot, while Gooden left in the blue Mazda truck with the other person involved in the fight.
Police charged Shanks with battery and resisting arrest, and Gooden with carrying a concealed weapon and tampering with evidence, WUFT reported.
Police have not stated whether or not the driver of the truck could face charges as well, but they are looking to contact the person(s) as a witness, NBC South Florida reported.