Planned meeting turned into a fatal confrontation, police say

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Summary: Joshua Douglass, 18, was killed Sept. 10 in Gainesville, Florida. Police say Christian Eugene Howard, 18, and Carey Showers Jr. 18, were arrested after an alleged attempted robbery during a firearm sale.

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Police say a planned meeting turned into a fatal confrontation

An 18-year-old Gainesville, Florida, man was killed during a meeting that police say was arranged for the sale of a firearm, turning what appeared to be a planned transaction into a fatal confrontation.

Joshua Tresa Douglass died Sept. 10 after being shot at the Treehouse Village apartment complex in Gainesville. Police were called at about 8:20 p.m. after reports of a shooting and found Douglass suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigation leads to two arrests

The investigation initially focused on Carey Showers Jr., who police identified as a person of interest the following day. By Sept. 16, Gainesville police had announced two arrests in connection with Douglass' death.

Christian Eugene Howard was arrested and charged with homicide in connection with murder while engaged in a robbery, robbery with a firearm and possession of a weapon or ammunition by a Florida delinquent, according to WCJB. Showers was also arrested in connection with the case.

According to investigators, Douglass had communicated with Showers through Instagram before the meeting. Police said Douglass arrived intending to sell a firearm. Surveillance video reviewed by investigators reportedly showed Douglass getting out of a pickup truck and speaking with Showers near the apartment complex's pool area.

Police describe an attempted robbery

Investigators allege the meeting was actually a setup for a robbery.

According to the arrest report described by WCJB, Howard was positioned nearby with a rifle-style firearm while Showers approached Douglass. Police said Showers pulled out a handgun during the attempted robbery. Douglass resisted, and Showers dropped the weapon.

Investigators say Howard then fired multiple shots at Douglass. Showers was also shot in the foot during the incident, according to police.

Authorities recovered numerous shell casings at the scene and reported finding multiple bullet holes in a pickup truck parked nearby.

Case remains in the court system

The arrests provide investigators' account of what happened, but the allegations have not been proven in court. Both Howard and Showers are entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty.

Douglass' death remains the subject of an active criminal investigation as authorities continue processing evidence and building their case.

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Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Sources/related links:

WCJB — Gainesville police make two arrests in connection to murder

Mainstreet Daily News — Gainesville police investigate fatal shooting

WCJB — Victim identified in Gainesville deadly shooting

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