Police Reports
HAWTHORNE – No arrest has been made in the Wednesday, April 25 shooting death of 23-year-old Calvin D. Thomas in Hawthorne. In the week since the incident, deputies have learned that it was Thomas who fired the first shots, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) spokesman Art Forgey said Wednesday.
Around 1 p.m. on April 25, a disturbance occurred at 7429 SE 225th Way in Hawthorne, deputies say. According to witnesses, Thomas drove up to the scene, exited the vehicle and started firing rounds from a handgun into the crowd gathered around the disturbance.
Deputies say someone in that crowd returned fire on Thomas, ultimately striking him once and killing him. Between Thomas and the other apparent shooter, multiple shots were fired, Forgey said.
“As far as we know, no one else was injured as a result of shooting,” he said.
He would not release details on the weapons believed to have been used in the shooting.
Authorities have reportedly interviewed numerous witnesses, but still have others with whom they wish to speak.
The disturbance that was underway when Thomas arrived reportedly involved one of his family members. Although Forgey did not elaborate on the nature of the disturbance, he said deputies do not believe the incident to be gang or drug related.
Forgey said ACSO deputies have been returning to the area where the shooting occurred to canvass the surrounding neighborhoods in hopes of finding more witnesses.
“Deputies are also disseminating information about our gun bounty and reward program,” he said.
That program offers up a $1,000 reward to anyone assisting with the recovery of firearms used in gun-related crimes. The reward is available, even to anonymous tipsters. Anyone with information may remain anonymous by calling 352-372-STOP (7867).
GAINESVILLE -- At approximately 10:09 p.m. on Dec. 9, a female University of Florida student was walking to her car, which was parked near the 1200 block of SW 5th Ave., just south of the Campus USA Credit Union. As she entered her vehicle, a black male wearing a ski mask jumped in next to her. The suspect held her at knife point, ordered her into the back seat and told her to take off all of her clothes. The victim climbed into the back seat and the suspect followed. The victim only took off her jacket. She offered him her purse, which the suspect took and rifled through. She then faked an asthma attack, in an effort to stop the incident. The suspect exited the vehicle and fled on foot with the victim’s cash in his possession. The victim screamed loudly, which prompted several 911 calls. Her screams also attracted the attention of two witnesses who saw the suspect running to SW 6 AVE, where he mounted a bicycle and fled east.
