Police: Fla. gunman kills self, 1 other, wounds 5

[October 05, 2010]  GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- A gunman who had a history of mental illness fatally shot one man, then drove through his Gainesville neighborhood on a 13-minute shooting spree that wounded five others before killing himself, police said.

Gainesville police Cpl. Tscharna Senn identified the gunman as Clifford Miller Jr., 24. The gunman shot himself Monday in his red pickup truck, Senn said at a news conference. Authorities reported that all those shot were men but refused to confirm the identity of the victims or give a motive.

The shooter was targeting specific people at each location and shot the men he was looking for, Alachua County Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Steve Maynard said. Multiple rounds were fired at each spot, and one gun was found with the shooter.

"We don't know the reasons he went to the houses, but we know he went to specific locations," Maynard said. "He had opportunities to go someplace to be a random shooter. He could have gone to the mall, or a number of different locations. He did not do that."

Court records show Miller had a lengthy criminal history.

In 2010, an Alachua County judge declared him incompetent to stand trial on a criminal mischief and petty larceny case. That same year, Miller was also deemed mentally or physically unable to stand trial on reckless driving and resisting an officer charges. His criminal record also included a conviction for felony possession of cocaine and charges of burglary and misdemeanor simple battery.

The first 911 call about Monday's shooting was at 4:03 p.m., followed by several others. The last call was to the Alachua County Sheriff's Office at 4:16 p.m. That turned out to be the gunman, who had shot himself in the truck. One additional shooting location was found an hour later, but officials reported that it occurred within the 13-minute time frame in the three-mile area.

The wounded were being treated at Gainesville area hospitals, Senn said. They had minor to critical injuries, but authorities wouldn't give details.

Gainesville, in the north-central part of the state, is home to the University of Florida. There was no immediate link between the school and the shooting.

Authorities have scheduled a news conference for 10 a.m. Tuesday.

[Associated Press; By TAMARA LUSH]

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