Suzette Cook
The Gainesville Police Department (GPD) has announced two more arrests in connection to the juvenile shooting incident that took place Thursday at the American Legion in Gainesville.Â
Five juveniles were shot, one with critical injuries and four others with non-life-threatening injuries at a nighttime party, according to GPD.
On Friday the GPD Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU) apprehended Christian T. Jones, 16, and charged him with attempted murder and carrying a concealed firearm. GPD also charged Jarquez Kerreim Mitchell, 17, with aggravated assault and carrying a concealed firearm, according to police reports.
“This swift resolution was made possible by the combined efforts of every facet of the Department, from the initial Patrol Division response to the contributions of the Criminal Intelligence Unit, ending in charges being filed by the Investigations Division,” GPD spokesperson Graham Glover said in a statement. “GPD’s staff worked around the clock to identify and locate those responsible for this tragic event.”
The GPD arrests bring the total number of apprehended suspects to four. On the night of the shooting Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ASO) deputies arrested two suspects in a stolen vehicle after a high speed chase. The driver was identified as Jakarean Ford, 14 and the passenger was Javari Baptiste, 17.
ASO deputies reported recovering a stolen 9mm handgun and ski mask used in the shooting.
Both Ford and Baptist were taken to the GPD for questioning and then transported to the Juvenile Detention Center.
GPD charged Baptiste with attempted murder. The ASO also filed charges on Baptiste for possession of a stolen firearm and resisting without violence. Ford was charged with fleeing and eluding law enforcement, driving without a license, possession of marijuana and for accessory after the fact.
If anyone has additional information about this incident, contact the GPD Detectives Bureau at: 352-393-7710 or Alachua County Crime Stoppers at: 352-372-7867 or www.stopcrime.tv.