Two people shot, one dead, at Waldo block party

WALDO, Fla. (WCJB) - One person is dead and another shot during a block party in Waldo Sunday morning.

Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies responded to several calls about a shooting on Northeast 150th Avenue between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., said ASO Sgt. Frank Kinsey.

Among the roughly 700 people there, two people suffered from gunshot wounds, Kinsey said.

Natisha Covert, 36, of Alachua County and an unidentified man were shot. Covert, a mother of eight from Alachua County, died at the scene.

As deputies treated Covert, members of the crowds tried to interfere. Kinsey said some people tried to prevent the deputies from administering aid to the woman.

The other man got a ride to a Columbia County hospital where he had multiple surgeries. Later he was taken to UF Health Shands where he is in stable condition.

Some deputies also reported damages to patrol cars including a busted windshield.

Deputies reported multiple pop-up block parties in the North Central Florida, Kinsey said. Last weekend, people gathered in Hawthorne for a block party that remained peaceful.

The cause of the shooting is not known at this time. Deputies said they are still looking for the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 352-372-STOP or the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office at 352-955-1818.

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