5 teens shot at Gainesville American Legion party

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Police arrested two people early Friday, hours after five kids were shot late at an American Legion party for teenagers on Gainesville’s Northside.

One of the teenagers is in serious condition and the other four have non-life-threatening injuries.

A 17-year-old is being charged with attempted murder by the Gainesville Police Department. He also faces charges of possession of a stolen firearm and resisting without violence by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

A 14-year-old is accused of eluding law enforcement officers, driving a car without a license and felony possession of marijuana. Those charges are from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators said just before 10:30 p.m. Thursday, two people began shooting at each other at the American Legion Post 16 on NW 6th Street and the teen victims were hit by the gunfire.

“Any time there’s some sort of trauma in a community involving young people, it’s always a very delicate situation,” said GPD spokesman John Alexander.

Alexander said the party was allowed by the owner of the building and adults were there during the shooting.

“Any time there’s a young person impacted in our community, it’s something we pay very close attention to,” he said Friday morning.

Police said the two suspects drove away from the scene and led Alachua County deputies on a car chase to the south side of the city.

Police say they were arrested near the Cabana Beach Apartments complex.

The investigation into the shooting continues and American Legion Post 16 will remain closed to the public until it that investigation concludes.

Police arrested two people early Friday, hours after five kids were shot late Thursday night at an American Legion party for teenagers on Gainesville’s Northside.

The shooting was reported at American Legion Post 16 on NW 6th Street.

One of the teenagers is in serious condition and the other four have non-life-threatening injures.

When police arrived, they found four juvenile victims outside the building and a fifth inside -- all with gunshot wounds.