Earvin Jamal Odom, a 27-year-old African American man, was shot and killed on December 12, 2019, in Gainesville, Florida’s Pine Ridge neighborhood. Police were called to 5800 NW 23rd Terrace around 4:50 p.m.; officers found Odom surrounded by a large group and losing consciousness. He was given first aid, taken to UF Health Shands Hospital, and later died of his injuries.

Investigators say a longstanding dispute with some neighborhood residents escalated that day into a verbal argument. According to the Gainesville Police Department, 28-year-old Cornelius Brister displayed a handgun during the confrontation and shot Odom in the lower torso. Brister reportedly fled the scene with associates. Odom’s death was ruled a homicide and Brister was charged with homicide, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and violation of pretrial release conditions. Court records note Brister previously served three years in prison after a 2012 aggravated assault with a deadly weapon conviction.

Does anyone in Pine Ridge remember the confrontation on December 12 or have information about the people present that afternoon?