GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Carey Fernard Showers Jr., 18, is facing adult charges of second-degree homicide, attempted armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm following an investigation into the September 10 shooting death of Joshua Douglass at Treehouse Village Apartments.
Christian Eugene Howard, 18, was arrested earlier in connection with the shooting. He is accused of shooting Douglass, trying to rob him and shooting Showers. His complete list of charges appears at the end of this article.
Gainesville Police Department officers were dispatched to Treehouse Village Apartments, 125 SE 16th Avenue, around 8:18 p.m. after receiving reports of a shooting. They found Douglass lying on the ground, where he had died from multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators did not find any suspects at the scene, but recovered “numerous” shell casings. A pickup truck parked near the pool also had “numerous” bullet holes.
What the video shows
According to investigators, surveillance footage shows Douglass arriving at the complex with a companion in a pickup truck and parking near the pool. Douglass stepped out, and Showers walked up to him. The two men spoke for several minutes.
As the conversation continued, Howard reportedly approached from the side of the pool, moving through the shadows while carrying a “rifle/ARP style” firearm. He stopped behind a tree roughly 20 feet from Douglass and Showers, positioning himself in what investigators described as “an obvious ambush position.”
Shortly afterward, Showers pulled a pistol from his waistband and moved toward Douglass, apparently attempting to rob him. Douglass pushed him away, causing Showers to drop the firearm and lose his slides.
Howard then fired “numerous” rounds toward Douglass and his companion. Douglass was struck multiple times, while Showers was shot in the foot. Douglass ran out of view of the camera, and his companion exited the truck before fleeing a short distance. Showers hid beneath a nearby vehicle, while Howard escaped northbound and left his slides behind.
Evidence found at the scene
Investigators said Showers was wearing a distinctive jacket or hoodie with reflective trim across the chest, back and pockets. Howard was reportedly dressed in black-and-white Nike slides, white ankle socks, bright orange Nike shorts and a dark jacket or hoodie.
Detectives recovered two pairs of Nike slides—one in the area where Howard had been standing and another near the spot where Showers was located. They also found a yellow belt keychain equipped with a Bic lighter and a key beneath the vehicle where Showers had hidden. Investigators later matched it to a yellow belt keychain visible in a photo posted to Showers’ Instagram account.
Blood was also found beneath the vehicle. Police recovered a Glock-style P80 “ghost gun” fitted with a light attachment, an extended magazine and a black grip wrap. Detectives later matched the weapon to photographs on Showers’ Instagram account.
Douglass’ companion told investigators that he and Douglass had gone to Treehouse Village to sell Showers a pistol. He said Douglass arranged the meeting through Instagram, and Showers sent a location that placed him near the complex’s pool. After they parked, Showers approached on foot to negotiate the transaction.
The companion said Douglass became upset because a Cash App payment had not gone through and believed Showers was “playing” them. According to the witness, Showers lunged toward Douglass and tried to grab either him or the pistol being offered for sale. At the same time, the witness heard gunfire coming from the passenger side of the truck and saw that the shooter was wearing orange shorts.
Detectives already knew the Instagram account referenced by Douglass’ companion belonged to Showers. They assembled a photo lineup that included Showers’ picture, and the companion reportedly identified him as the person who had met with Douglass.
Another witness told police that they heard gunshots and then saw a person limping northbound. The person was reportedly saying, “Dear God, help me.”
While officers were investigating at the apartment complex, Showers’ mother arrived and said she believed her son might have been involved and could have been shot. She told officers she was unable to locate him. Police later went to Showers’ father’s home and reviewed surveillance footage showing Showers leaving earlier that evening. He was wearing a jacket or hoodie with distinctive trim around the pocket, matching the clothing seen in the Treehouse Village footage.
Locating Showers
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On September 11, GPD released Showers’ photograph and asked the public to help locate him. Investigators learned he was staying at an apartment complex at Sweetwater on 16th Avenue, directly east of Treehouse Village. Officers began watching the apartment, and Showers soon emerged, visibly limping. Police said he had a plastic bag containing blood-soaked clothing and bandages when he was arrested. He was taken to a hospital, where officers confirmed that he had been shot in the foot.
Additional video from Treehouse Village
Video surveillance at Treehouse Village also reportedly shows Howard entering the complex on foot at 6:42 p.m. on September 10, wearing a black long-sleeve shirt, Nike slides, white ankle socks, and bright orange shorts with a Nike “swoosh” on the side.
Detectives reviewed recent contacts with Howard and found body-worn camera evidence that he was wearing the same bright orange shorts when he spoke with an officer in May about an issue with his ankle monitor.
Social media posting
Detectives found an Instagram post that appeared to name Howard as the shooter in the incident.
Search warrant
On September 16, a search warrant was executed at Howard’s residence, and officers reportedly found a pistol in his closet with a grip wrap that was similar to the one on the “ghost gun” found at the scene; one round of .223 caliber rifle ammunition; a pair of white ankle socks that were dirty on the bottom; and a black jacket/hoodie similar to the one worn by the shooter in the video from the shooting incident.
Howard was later found by the Florida Highway Patrol during a traffic stop and was taken into custody.
Howard’s charges
Howard was initially charged with homicide while engaged in robbery, attempted armed robbery, and two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by an adjudicated delinquent. He has multiple juvenile felony convictions between 2023 and 2025 and cannot legally possess a firearm until he is 24. Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial. On September 18, Judge Denise Ferrero granted the motion and ordered him held without bail until trial.
On October 14, Howard was formally charged with attempted armed robbery (a 10-20-Life offense), second-degree homicide (a 10-20-Life offense) for the shooting of Douglass, attempted felony murder (a 10-20-Life offense) for the shooting of Showers, and two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by an adjudicated delinquent under the age of 24 (one for the .300 Blackout firearm he allegedly carried at Treehouse Village, and one for the pistol and ammunition reportedly found at his apartment).
Showers’ charges
Showers has been formally charged with attempted armed robbery, second-degree homicide, and possession of a firearm or ammunition by an adjudicated delinquent under the age of 24. According to a court document, Showers’ juvenile history includes robbery by sudden snatching, battery, and felony battery as a repeat offender. He turned 18 on September 12, two days after the Treehouse Village incident.
In the order transferring the case to the adult justice system, Judge Denise Ferrero ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.