Police offer reward after shooting leaves one dead, two injured

Gainesville Police is offering a $3,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the people who shot into a Gainesville home occupied by more than 20 people late Wednesday night.

Shortly before midnight, witnesses said two masked gunmen broke into a home in the 800 block of NW Fourth Place — less than half a mile from West University Avenue — and shot 35-year-old Antonio Mason in the chest, according to a press release.

Mason, who died at the scene, was holding his infant daughter, who was shot in the arm and transported to the hospital, according to the release. The gunmen also shot a 21-year-old man.

Calls were still coming in as officers arrived to the home less than a minute after the first call at 11:39 p.m., according to the release.

A helicopter patrolled from above as police dogs searched the ground, but the gunmen escaped. Authorities then began searching for evidence into the early hours of Thursday morning.

The lights of more than a dozen police cars flashed on the homes, and officers shined their flashlights into neighborhood lawns, where some neighbors stood and watched.

GPD will increase patrols in the area, and detectives will visit neighborhood homes in hopes of learning more about the suspects, according to the release.

Residents can call detectives at 352-393-7670, or Crime Stoppers at 352-392-STOP. People with information can also leave anonymous tips by calling 352-393-7700 or texting “GPDFL” and the tip to 274637.

About 100 feet from where the shooting took place, a man emerges from behind yellow caution tape to hug a woman and then hand her a sleeping baby in early morning of July 28.