Deputies are investigating a fatal shooting Wednesday of a Gainesville man who was looking for his ex-girlfriend.
Just before 1 a.m., Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a shooting at America’s Best Value Inn, at 7413 W. Newberry Road, according to a press release. When authorities arrived, they found a body outside one of the motel rooms, which was later identified as 36-year-old Van S. Gourdine.
Gourdine had been searching for his ex-girlfriend for several days, and had made threats to harm her if he found her, according to the release.
Once Gourdine found her in the motel, he broke a window and tried to enter the room, but someone in the room shot him.
Although the shooter surrendered to police, he or she has not yet been publicly identified.
Sheriff’s Office spokesman Art Forgey said Gourdine had a bullet wound in his head.
“In the last four or five years, we haven’t had an incident of this type at any of the motels here,” he said.
America’s Best Value Inn management declined to comment on the incident.
The investigation is ongoing, although Forgey said the shooting appears to be justified after listening to witness testimonies and obtaining voicemails and text messages left by Gourdine.
Gourdine has a history of domestic violence against the woman, according to the release. He was charged with domestic battery in February, but the charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence.
[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 3/19/2015 under the headline “Police: man fatally shot attempting to break into motel room”]
