Man killed in Parramore shooting fought against violence in community

ORLANDO, Fla. — A man who fought against violence in the Parramore community was killed in a drive-by shooting outside an apartment complex in Parramore Saturday night that left five other people injured, the Orlando Police Department said.

Orange County Commissioner Regina Hill said she knew Gino Nicolas, 24, who was killed in the shooting.

Nicolas made it his life’s work to save youth from the same violence that took his life.

A crowd was gathered outside an apartment at The Landings at Carver Park on Conley Street shortly before 9:30 p.m. Saturday when a vehicle pulled up, Orlando police Sgt. Wanda Miglio said.

Several people in the vehicle fired multiple guns at the crowd, striking Nicolas, who died at Orlando Regional Medical Center, Miglio said.

One person, whose name was not released, was critically wounded. Four others were shot, but their injuries weren’t life-threatening.

Nicolas worked as a mentor with Orlando’s My Brother’s Keeper program.

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“He was very respected. The boys look out to him,” said Nicolas’ sister, Naomi Monroe.

Channel 9 talked to Nicolas last year about his work to stop children from getting involved in crime.

He said getting young people to realize that police officers aren’t enemies was key.

“(The program) allows people to get in touch with police officers. You know, get to know them on a personal level, rather than when they’re at work patrolling,” Nicolas said last August.

Nicolas’ sisters said they’ll continue his work to make the community a better place.

Hill said Nicolas did everything he could to make Orlando a better place.

“He would personally go an pick up the kids at 5 and 6 o’clock in the morning to get on the bus, to go to NASA, to go to some of these field trips that we would put in place,” said Hill.

Meanwhile, police are trying to generate leads as to who pulled the trigger, but said it’s been difficult because witnesses won’t talk.

“Along with the victims who sustained injuries, there were several others present that fled the scene and have been less than forthcoming,” Miglio said. “At this time, the intended target of the shooting is unknown.”

“It’s very disappointing that no one is coming out and saying what happened, and it’s very hurtful,” said Monroe.

It’s a problem law enforcement agencies often face.

Lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 1314 with the goal of protecting witnesses by providing an exemption from the public records requirement for personal identifying information of a witness to a felony.

“They don’t have to be afraid that the media, newspapers, that their names will be on court documents and others can come back and retaliate,” said Hill.

The bill died in committee last month, but Hill said that’s not going to stop her from trying to make it easier to solve these kinds of violent crimes.

“I’m going to keep fighting and they’re going to keep fighting for a better day,” Hill said.

The other victims include Cordarius Williams, 24, Daquan Lundy, 23, Ricky Harrison Jr., 23, and Wendell Edwards Jr., 22.

Resident Sergio Rivera said he was in his bedroom when a bullet pierced his apartment’s front door, narrowly missing his mother.

“I didn't hear anything until bullets started popping everywhere,” Rivera said. “To be this close, it was pretty shocking because it could have been my life.”

Anyone who saw the vehicle or who has information about the shooting is asked to call the OPD at 321-235-5300 or Crimeline at 407-423-8477.

Cox Media Group