By Forrest Smith–WUFT-FM
Ryan Lacher WUFT-FM
Police search an area near 1116 W. University Ave. after an early morning 911 call.
The Gainesville Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred in the area of 1116 W. University Ave. Friday morning.
At 5:32 a.m. a 911 caller reported a man was laying face down on the ground with another man rummaging through his pockets. Officers responded and found the victim lying on the ground. The other person left the scene prior to the officers’ arrival. The victim was transported to Shands at UF where he died.
The person police are looking for is a white male described as approximately 5’11″, large build, bald head, last seen wearing khaki pants and a blue flowered shirt.
A white “box-style” van, possibly a construction van, was also nearby. The involvement of the van and the white male is unknown at this time.
The victim’s identification is unknown, GPD spokesman Ben Tobias said. His cause of death is not being released at this time.
Gainesville resident Pierre Parker said the homicide was a wake-up call for him. He walks on University Avenue every day.
“A city is a city no matter what. You still have to be careful no matter where you go,” Pierre said. “It makes you want to think more about who’s around you and what’s going on around you.”
If you see or know of anyone matching the description of the white male or have any information in this case, please call GPD Dispatch at 352-955-1818.
Bailey Myers contributed to this story.
