Violent week in Tallahassee continues with third shooting in the span of 24 hours

Tallahassee Democrat

Tallahassee police responded to three different shootings over the span of 24 hours that left one person dead and three others injured.

The bloodshed continued an already violent week that left the Capital City on edge following a lull in local arrests during the coronavirus crisis. It coincided with scenes of protest and rioting in major cities around the nation following the death of George Floyd after an encounter with Minneapolis police and other police involved shootings.

On Wednesday, a man was stabbed to death on Saxon Street, and a responding Tallahassee police officer shot and killed the suspect in a nearby apartment complex on Holton Street.

Friday's string of shootings began around 3:30 a.m. in the 2300 block of Keith Street in the Bond community. Officers found two victims, one with serious injuries and one with life-threatening wounds.

Police investigate a fatal shooting Friday night at Mission Grove Apartments on Mission Road in northwest Tallahassee. Pictured in the foreground are property management employees.

Around 7:30 p.m., officers were called to Mission Grove Apartments on Mission Road in northwest Tallahassee, where one person was found dead, said Officer Kevin Bradshaw, spokesman for the Tallahassee Police Department.

"Officers responded to a 911 call and discovered a deceased adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound," Bradshaw said. "This is an active investigation and there is no further information to release at this time."

Shortly before midnight, officers were called to an apartment complex at 2525 Texas Street and found another victim.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered one victim suffering from a gunshot wound,” Bradshaw said. “TPD and emergency responders immediately provided medical attention to the victim, who was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.”

Back story:

The first shooting of the day, on Keith Street, happened blocks away from a candlelight vigil the night before in honor of Malik Jackson, 21, who died after he was stabbed outside his mom’s apartment on Saxon Street. The suspect, Natosha “Tony” McDade, fled the scene but was shot and killed by an officer after allegedly pointing a gun at him.

Bradshaw said the shooting was unrelated to Wednesday's violence.

"The shooting appears to be the result of a pre-existing conflict between two parties and is not connected with Wednesday’s homicide or officer involved shooting," Bradshaw said.

TPD Chief Lawrence Revell said the officer’s use of deadly force appeared justified. However, many people in Holton Street Apartments and the adjacent Leon Arms Apartments believe it was not.

The shooting sparked scattered but mostly peaceful protests at the Capitol and Police Headquarters Friday evening and throughout the day Saturday. On Friday night, a crowd marched downtown to the police station. Video showed protesters briefly blocking traffic as they chanted and waved signs.

"It is a very emotional time across our nation, and we support the peaceful gathering of protesters in our community," Revell said in a statement to media issued by Tallahassee police after the protest.

More:Peaceful Tallahassee protests marred after truck hits demonstrators; no serious injuries

At about the same time as the protests, TPD was responding to the Mission Road shooting. No one but residents were allowed on the grounds of the apartment complex, and property managers and police didn't allow reporters access to the scene.

So far, eight people have died and at least 17 have been injured in 24 shootings this year in Tallahassee and Leon County, according to a Tallahassee Democrat analysis.

Investigators are asking people who witnessed the shootings but didn't speak with an officer on scene to call TPD at 850-891-4200 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers line at 850-574-TIPS.

Reach Editor William Hatfield at whatfield@tallahassee.com. Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat.