2 dead, 1 critically hurt in shooting near Florida news organization on Christmas: police

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PALATKA, Fla. - Two people are dead and another is seriously hurt after a shooting near a newspaper publisher business in Florida on Christmas night, according to police.

The incident began around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday when officers responded to reports of a large crowd gathered in a parking lot on North 19th Street in Palatka, according to a news release from the Palatka Police Department.

While officers were dispersing the crowd, they heard multiple gunshots coming from the area of the Palatka Daily News building on St. Johns Avenue.

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Police found three people who had been shot on the property. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while another died later at a hospital. The third victim was taken to a trauma center in critical condition.

Authorities have not released the victims’ identities, as they are notifying their next of kin. Further details regarding a potential suspect were not immediately released.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Scene Unit and the State Attorney’s Office Homicide Investigative Unit are assisting in the investigation.

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Lieutenant Colten Lee or Sergeant David Lazo at 386-329-0115, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-8477.

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