HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (WSVN) – One of the victims of a shooting outside a Hollywood event has been identified as a former South Florida football player. The shooting claimed another person’s life and sent two people to the hospital.
The victim, 44-year-old Octavius Jackson, previously played football at Miami Carroll City High School and Florida State University.
In 1998, the Sun Sentinel named Jackson one of FSU’s top four recruits.
According to Hollywood Police, units responded to the scene of a crime Sunday morning along the 2900 block of Hollywood Boulevard, near the corner with Jaycee Boulevard.
Detectives said the shooting happened around 1:30 a.m. near Jaycee Hall, which was being used for a family celebration.
“It wasn’t like there was a crazy party going on. It was just set up like a baby shower, so I don’t understand why someone would get caught in the shooting,” said Jaycee Hall’s manager. Debra Gronvold said. “It was not only her baby shower, but also our 10th wedding anniversary, so we made it a little longer. Each room is from a different era.”
Investigators said the shooting occurred in a grassy area next to the event’s parking lot.
When officers arrived on scene, they found four victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
“One of the individuals succumbed to his injuries at the scene,” Hollywood Police Department spokeswoman Deanna Bettineschi said.
Paramedics rushed the other three victims to Memorial Regional Hospital, where the second victim later died.
Gronvold said the guest did not appear to be injured.
“We don’t know anything about what happened outside. The last time I talked to my client at this point, she said she doesn’t know who is who,” she said.
The identities of the other deceased person and two others taken to the hospital have not been released.
“Everyone, please love your neighbor and stop violence,” Gronvold said.
Detectives are still looking for the culprit.
Detectives urge anyone with information regarding this investigation or the subject’s whereabouts to contact the Hollywood Police Department at 954-764-4357 (Help) or 954-967-4567 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-967-4567. 493-8477 (TIPS)).
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