Published: January 11, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Updated: January 11, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Loved ones hold funeral for victim hours before arrest announcedArrest made in fatal Fort Lauderdale New Year’s Eve shooting
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — An emotional farewell was held on Saturday to honor a life cut tragically short.
Then on Sunday came an update in the case that those grieving loved ones had been waiting to hear.
Family and friends of Joshua Gipson Jr. gathered at Right Way Ministries in Fort Lauderdale to say goodbye to the 17-year-old.
“I appreciate the community for coming out but I still have a son that’s never coming back home,” his mother said during the service. “He was sweet. He was very outspoken, very outgoing, he was Josh.”
On New Year’s Eve, witnesses said Gipson was caught in the crossfire during a shooting outside a CVS in Fort Lauderdale Beach.
A group of teens were seen arguing just before midnight when the gunfire erupted.
Gipson was shot in the leg and the back and did not survive after being rushed to the hospital.
The football player had big plans for his life.
He was supposed to attend Virginia Tech next year, where he hoped to continue his football journey.
Gipson’s family said Saturday that they were searching for justice and hoping investigators are able to find the people responsible.
Hours later, on Sunday morning, police announced they had arrested 17-year-old Marquice Henry for the shooting.
No additional details were provided by authorities.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help Gipson’s family with expenses following the teen’s death.
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Hannah Yechivi
Brett Knese