BY JENNIFER CABRERA
After presenting data showing that gun violence metrics declined from 2023 through 2025 while gunshot injuries and homicides rose in 2026, Moya said the share of verified shots-fired incidents that resulted in someone being wounded has increased. He attributed the incidents to “certainly, poor decision-making by youth, but also the accessibility to weapons.”
Five homicides in the 1000 block of West University Avenue over three years
Moya discussed the Nov. 1 double homicide in Midtown, noting that officers were already in the area because the 1000 block of West University Avenue is “an area of high concern for us.” Within that roughly 200-yard corridor, he said, Gainesville has recorded five homicide-related fatalities since he arrived in the city. Moya was hired as Gainesville’s assistant police chief in June 2023. “We are present in that very same corridor every day, particularly during the weekends, when the crowds manifest themselves in large numbers — our staff is mandated to be there,” he said.
“Absolute cold blood”
Moya said the Nov. 1 killings were recorded on video. Flashing lights from a stationary police vehicle can be seen in the background, he said, because police knew the location was a hotspot requiring close attention. Although officers were in full uniform, Moya said they could not stop and frisk everyone legally using a public street or right-of-way. “But… despite us being there, two people… were gunned down in absolute cold blood,” he said. Because officers were already at the scene, the suspect was arrested “within seconds.”
About two hours later, a retaliatory shooting occurred in a neighborhood police were already monitoring closely, Moya said. More than 30 rounds were fired from weapons of multiple calibers, but “by the grace of God, not a single soul was injured.”
Juvenile arrested after third shooting
Not far from that scene, a third shooting took place and was also believed to be retaliatory, Moya said. Officers arrested a juvenile who was “sadly, as is often the case, a convicted felon in possession of yet another firearm.” He later clarified that officers were already at the location when the shooting happened.
Moya also described a drive-by shooting roughly a month earlier in one of Gainesville’s established neighborhoods. Residents were forced to take cover inside their homes as bullets flew toward two houses, injuring a young man. Investigators found at least five firearms in one home, he said, and the weapons were readily accessible rather than hidden or disassembled. After an exchange of gunfire, another incident occurred a week or two later. Although that shooting appeared unrelated to the original dispute, officers seized another firearm and made another arrest, Moya said.
Shootings result from “beefs” between “factions”
Moya said the department is working to identify people on the periphery of these so-called “beefs.” He said Gainesville has factions in some neighborhoods, and many gun-related crimes stem from disagreements or squabbles that may initially appear inconsequential. “But yet these beefs are happening,” he said.
Addressing how the community should respond to the increase in gun violence, Moya urged Gainesville and its partner organizations to “show up.” He credited the department’s Gun Violence Units and the Impact GNV initiative as “crucially important,” while also pointing to the Gainesville Police Athletic League, school resource officers and other efforts taking place behind the scenes.
“We need close oversight over our youth… Be in the business of what they’re doing”
Moya said parents, guardians and others responsible for young people must remain closely involved. “We need close oversight over our youth… Stay connected and double down on that effort,” he said. He urged adults to understand what young people are doing, whom they are associating with and with whom they communicate.
“If we find that our young people are posting pictures of themselves with firearms, let’s presume that they’re not toys.”
Moya encouraged parents and guardians to monitor teenagers’ social media accounts. “The rights of privacy that we give our youth are rights that have to be earned,” he said. “If we find that our young people are posting pictures of themselves with firearms, let’s presume that they’re not toys. Let’s alert us.” The police department monitors social media as well, although investigators do not find everything. While Moya said he often believes that responsibility “starts in the home and ends in the home,” he acknowledged that some families also need support.
“We don’t have time for meetings. Everybody needs to get to work.”
Moya closed by calling for action rather than additional meetings. “Everybody needs to come to the table, and I don’t mean a table, because we don’t have time for meetings. Everybody needs to get to work,” he said. When asked what GPD is doing about gun violence, Moya said his response is: “Here’s what us guys are doing. What’s everybody else doing?”
“We’re confident [the latest shootings are] gang-related”
Responding to a question about gang involvement, Moya said some shootings are linked to gangs, although confirming those connections requires investigators to identify the specific faction or gang involved. Several cases remain under investigation, he said. “But yes, the latest of shootings, we’re confident they’re gang-related.”