Suzette Cook
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ASO) has identified the Gainesville man who was shot and killed during an exchange of fire with deputies on Friday, March 5.
According to a Monday statement by Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson Jr., Gregory L. Williams, 32, assaulted the first victim, his girlfriend and mother of a newborn, and then began shooting, striking a family member. Neighbors in the area reported that the suspect came outside shooting at them and a dog.
At 4:13 p.m., deputies arrived on the scene and were fired upon from someone inside the home at 2325 SE 46th Terrace.
Upon return fire, the report states that the suspect was struck and deputies approached the home and removed the suspect for medical attention.
Deputies were then notified of a third victim in the incident with a gunshot wound located on the next street. That injury was determined to be a graze wound, and according to the report, that victim did not require transportation for medical treatment.
Williams was pronounced dead on the scene at 4:34 p.m.
The female shooting victim received a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the upper torso and was transported by EMS for treatment at a local medical center.
The deputies involved in the shooting included 21-year veteran Sgt. Fred “Todd” Thomas, 11-year-veteran Deputy Andy Adams, 16-year veteran Sgt. Richard Howell, and five-year veteran Deputy Alex Acosta.
According to the report, because deputies were involved in the shooting, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will conduct further investigation. Also, the Office of Professional Standards will conduct an investigation into whether the involved deputies followed ASO policies.
All deputies involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the parallel investigations, the report states.