Ex-FSU star player among two killed in shootout outside Broward event space, cops say
A former Florida State University football player who played on the school’s national championship team in the 1990s was one of two people killed when police say a shootout occurred outside a Broward event venue over the weekend. Two others were injured.
Around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Hollywood police responded to an alert in the parking lot of Jaycee Hall, 2930 Hollywood Blvd. Police discovered four gunshot victims, one of whom was declared dead at the scene.
The remaining three victims were taken to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, where a second person died. One victim is out of the ICU recovering, and the other remains in the ICU, according to a Monday evening update by the Hollywood Police Department.
Police on Tuesday evening identified the deceased as 44-year-old Taron Nicks and 44-year-old Octavious Jackson.
Family and friends shared condolences and memories of Jackson and Nicks on social media. The two graduated from Miami Carol City Senior High School in 1998, according to the school’s quarterback club on Facebook.
Jackson was a star defensive lineman for Carol City’s football team in the late 1990s, helping the team win two consecutive state titles.
Jackson played on FSU’s 1999 national championship football team. The Seminoles defeated Virginia Tech 46-29 in the Sugar Bowl BCS National Championship Game, under coach Bobby Bowden.
The team was honored at the White House by then President Bill Clinton, who told the team: “It was a 46-29 victory, hard won and richly deserved. After it was over, I think there wasn’t a single football fan in America who doubted that Florida State was truly the best team in the country and a deserving national champion,” according to the American Presidency Project archive at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for Jackson’s funeral costs.
“RIP to 2 of the realest homies we had,” wrote Eddie Bo on Facebook.
Krystle Frazier wrote on Facebook that her father coached Jackson at Carol City and said he was the most energetic person she knew.
“From middle school to high school you’ve never back down from a challenge , you always said the only way I can’t do if I try to do first!” she wrote. “ This hurts however it hurts more for his family, kids, teammates and especially my dad … his COACH !”
“Rest Easy Nephew....We Will Miss You Dearly,” wrote Honey B Jackson on Facebook. “Give Your Mom And Dad A Big Hug From Me.”
No arrests had been made as of Tuesday.
“Who goes to a party and brings a gun?” asked Debra Gronvold, Jaycee Hall manager.
Gronvold said she first learned about the shooting around 7:30 a.m. Sunday after a friend who saw news of the incident on TV called her.
Gronvold added she then rushed to the hall ahead of a baby shower that was scheduled to start Sunday afternoon. Instead, she was met by police officers and one of the deceased victims’ family members.
Though her client was seven months pregnant, Gronvold said the event was actually a 10th anniversary party for a couple — not a baby shower, which initial reports suggested.
Gronvold, who has managed Jaycee Hall since 1999, said she never dealt with such circumstances. The venue is run by the Hollywood Jaycees, a nonprofit that has supported the community for decades.
“All different people meet here,” she said. “For us to be associated with a shooting is not great.”
Moving forward, Gronvold already has different rules in mind for the hall. No one will be allowed on the premises after 1 a.m. and she said there will be an off-duty police officer at the hall if alcohol is served.
Hollywood police ask that anyone with information contact the Hollywood Police Department at (954) 764-4357 (HELP) or (954) 967-4567. People can also e-mail or text hollywoodpdtips@hollywoodfl.org or reach Broward Crime Stoppers at 954- 493-8477(TIPS) or www.browardcrimestoppers.org.
This story was originally published December 1, 2024 at 3:58 PM.
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