Swamp Car Wash killer receives life sentence

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A Gainesville man who shot and killed another man at the Swamp Car Wash in 2021 received a life sentence on Monday.

Eugene Patrick
Courtesy of Alachua County Jail Eugene Patrick

According to an Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office release, Judge James Colaw found Eugene Patrick, 24, guilty of second degree murder and sentenced him to life in prison.

Patrick shot and killed Bobby Hopkins Jr. in an altercation at the Swamp Cars Wash at 900 E. University Ave. on May 22, 2021. Patrick fled the scene but later turned himself in to law enforcement.

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On April 24, Patrick withdrew his plea deal to manslaughter and asked that his case be moved to a trial. Colaw accepted Patrick’s request and the case was put onto the trial docket.

During the trial, the State presented four witnesses to the Alachua County Jury. The jury deliberated for two hours and found Patrick guilty of second-degree murder for discharging a firearm causing death and the unlicensed carry of a concealed firearm.

Patrick will serve his time in the Florida Department of Corrections.

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