Eduardo Pardo Rodriguez, a 23-year-old man of Cuban descent, was killed on the morning of January 14, 2026, inside Imeca Lumber and Hardware on East University Avenue in Gainesville. A 911 call just before 8:00 a.m. reported shots fired at the business; officers arriving on scene found Rodriguez deceased inside the store.

The shooter fled in a red vehicle and was later located by police. According to reports, the suspect exited his car and opened fire on officers in what law enforcement described as an ambush-style attack, prompting a shootout. Two Gainesville officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries, were taken to a hospital and released. The shooter was fatally wounded by police; the suspect’s identity has not been released.

Investigators have said they believe Rodriguez was the victim of a random act of violence. The motive for the initial shooting at the lumber store remains unknown and the investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information about Eduardo, the events at Imeca Lumber and Hardware, or the red vehicle seen that morning, please share what you know.