GPD asks public for help finding murder suspect

The Gainesville Police Department (GPD) searching for a suspect in the shooting death of a Gainesville man last weekend. 

A little after noon last Saturday, someone called GPD to report that a man, later identified as 36-year-old Bobby Hopkins Jr., had been shot at the Swamp Car Wash (912 East University Avenue). The caller took Hopkins to UF Health Shands, but he later died of a gunshot wound to the chest, GPD said. 

Bobby Bernard Hopkins Jr.

On Thursday GPD publicly identified Eugene Javon Patrick, 22, “as the shooter in the death of” Hopkins.

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According to a news release, on Tuesday detectives obtained a search warrant for Patrick’s arrest, along with a second degree murder charge and $1 million bond. But the attempt to execute the search warrant came up empty. 

“Today, with the assistance of GPD SWAT, a search warrant for evidence was executed at Patrick’s listed address,” GPD reported. “Patrick was not located at the residence, and the Gainesville Police Department is asking anyone with any knowledge of Patrick’s whereabouts to contact law enforcement ASAP.”

GPD said detectives are still actively investigating the case, following leads, and collecting evidence. It encouraged anyone with knowledge of the crime or Patrick’s location to contact GPD Detective J. Castor at: 352-872-2101 or the Alachua County Crime Stoppers at: 352-372-7867.

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