Mom, 2 Sons and Daughter-in-Law Found Dead in Suspected Murder-Suicide

A teenager has died after being shot in Florida on New Year’s Eve, according to local reports.

The shooting happened just before midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 31, along North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, WPLG reported.

Police said a 17-year-old boy, later identified by family members as Joshua Gipson Jr., was taken to a hospital following the shooting. He later succumbed to his injuries, relatives confirmed.

A woman who identified herself as a close friend of the family said Gipson had been visiting Fort Lauderdale Beach with friends to celebrate the holiday.

A witness told WPLG that the teen appeared to have been struck during an exchange of gunfire between two individuals, suggesting he may have been caught in the crossfire.

Family members initially believed Gipson would recover, but he ultimately died from his wounds. According to the family friend, Gipson had plans to attend Virginia Tech next year.

“I feel like I lost a child, and that’s not even my child,” the woman said, describing Gipson as “a ball of sunshine.”

She added that Gipson’s mother is “so distraught” and at a “loss for words” in the aftermath of her son’s death.

“He was a good boy, good person, a good big brother—loving, caring, everything,” she said.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.