WALDO, Fla. – A mother of eight died and another victim was critically wounded after a shooting at a block party with hundreds of people in Alachua County early Sunday morning. According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post, deputies responded to calls of gunfire on Northeast 150th Avenue in Waldo around 3 a.m. where between 400 and 500 cars and people were gathered in the roadway for the large block party. Deputies eventually evacuated the woman from the crowd into a patrol car to be taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries. The victim was identified as Natisha Covert, 36, a mother of eight children. Anyone with more information about the shooting is asked to contact the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office or CrimeStoppers at (352) 372-7867.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A rowdy midnight party Sunday at a RaceWay gas station off Lem Turner Road was shut down -- twice -- by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Before police were called, several dozen people crowded in the gas station parking lot, while a few stood on top of their vehicles. It appeared some people were drawn to the RaceWay by the commotion, taking their cellphones out to film video. An employee who asked to remain anonymous told News4Jax that JSO first broke up the party around 11 p.m. but the crowds returned just after midnight and started partying again until police officers came back. News4Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson said this type of behavior is concerning so soon after Florida reopened portions of its economy.

Deputies hit by bottles at massive block party in Volusia CountyPublished: May 18, 2020, 11:01 pmDeputies said they were hit with cups of alcohol, bottles and bar stools after they made arrests at a weekend block party involving thousands of party-goers, officials reported Monday.