A teen arrested in the fatal shooting of another teen on New Year’s Eve in Fort Lauderdale Beach is no longer facing charges after investigators determined his actions were justified.
The 17-year-old had been arrested in January in the shooting that happened in the area of 17 South Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard at around 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 31.
The victim, 17-year-old Joshua Gipson Jr., died from his injuries. A close-out memo from the Broward State Attorney’s Office says Gipson was the aggressor.
“Gipson was armed, made threats and attacked (two of the shooter’s) friends, and within a minute, advanced on (the shooter) while reaching into his waistband, despite warnings to stop,” the memo said.
The shooter was arrested 10 days after the shooting, but was then released. NBC6 is not identifying him because he is a minor.
An investigation found Gipson had a gun on him and after the shooter shot him twice, Gipson’s friends fired back, creating chaos among the hundreds of people in the area.
Detectives added that, before the shooting, Gipson attacked two of the shooter’s friends, including pistol-whipping one of them.
The investigation also found the teens knew each other through TikTok and had previously exchanged words on the platform based on the neighborhoods where they lived.
Gipson’s family told NBC6 on Thursday that they are still mourning his death.