PALATKA, Fla. – A Christmas Day celebration turned tragic in Palatka when gunfire erupted, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and leaving another wounded. The incident, which has since prompted an intensive police investigation, continues to unravel as authorities seek additional suspects believed to be linked to the violence.
The chaos ensued late on Christmas night after a party in neighboring St. Johns County moved to Palatka, evolving into an afterparty. Local officers were dispatched around 9:40 p.m. to disperse a crowd gathering in a parking lot on North 19th Street. As they worked to clear the area, shots were fired from across the street near the premises of the Palatka Daily News on St. Johns Avenue.
Upon arrival at the scene of the shooting, law enforcement officials discovered 23-year-old Tyree Gilyard deceased, near where a handgun was later recovered. Alongside him was 17-year-old Dorrion McKinnon, who later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Both individuals were found with firearms, a detail that has become a focal point of the ongoing forensic analysis.
A third victim, 21-year-old Dazial Dennis, was also shot during the incident. He was hospitalized but has since been released and is expected to fully recover from his injuries.
Following the incident, police confirmed the recovery of multiple pieces of evidence, including the firearms found with the victims. This critical evidence is currently undergoing detailed examination as part of the broader investigation efforts to piece together the events of that evening.
Authorities have disclosed that their investigation has expanded, with several persons of interest being actively pursued. The involvement of additional suspects is suspected, with police believing these individuals played significant roles in the events leading up to the shootings.
The violence not only left casualties but also resulted in property damage. The building housing the Palatka Daily News, although unoccupied at the time due to the holiday, sustained multiple bullet holes, adding to the gravity of the scene encountered by responding officers.
As police delve deeper into the case, they have extended a call to the public for any information related to the incident. Community members with knowledge that could aid in the arrest of the perpetrators are urged to come forward and assist in bringing closure to this grim chapter of loss and upheaval on a day typically associated with celebration and joy.
With the investigation remaining substantially active, the community remains on edge, hopeful for justice and answers. Local authorities commit to a thorough probe into the motivations and affiliations that may have led to this deadly incident. Meanwhile, families of the victims and the community grieve, recalling a night meant for peace, marred instead by gunfire and tragedy.