FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) – A teenager was fatally shot in Fort Lauderdale Beach just before the New Year.<\/p>\n
Fort Lauderdale Police responded to call of a possible shooting late Wednesday night at 17 South Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard.<\/p>\n
Upon their arrival, officers located a teenage boy with a gunshot wound.<\/p>\n
Officers secured the scene and tactical medical aid was given to the teen, who was later identified as 17-year-old Joshua Gipson Jr., immediately.<\/p>\n
Cell phone video captured the moment panic spread as witnesses ran from the area.<\/p>\n
Jeff Saylor told 7News he heard gunshots ring out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard another shot, a couple shots, I believe about five total,\u201d said Saylor.<\/p>\n
Others immediately recognized the popping sounds weren\u2019t fireworks going off in the sky.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I said, \u2018That\u2019s not fireworks,’\u201d said Bob McDonald, another witness. \u201cIt scared the heck out of me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gipson Jr., who had just turned 17, was promptly trauma alerted by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and transported to Broward Health Medical Center for treatment. However, he later succumbed to his injuries.<\/p>\n
Gipson Jr. was a football player for several South Florida teams and planned to attend Virginia Tech, according to his father.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe made good choices in life, you know what I\u2019m saying? He wasn\u2019t making anything bad,\u201d said Gipson Sr.<\/p>\n
Gipson Sr. believes when shots first rang out, his son was caught in the crossfire.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just hate it happened,\u201d said a longtime friend of Gipson Jr. who did not wish to be identified.<\/p>\n
Gipson Jr.\u2019s friend said the two had known each other since they were little kids who played football together.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was funny, he was fun to be around, he was always a happy soul. He was a good person,\u201d his friend said.<\/p>\n
Detectives have not shared many details but said they believe this to be an isolated incident.<\/p>\n
Gipson Jr.\u2019s loved ones are still trying to make sense of it all.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went blank. I don\u2019t how to, it\u2019s just crazy,\u201d said his friend. \u201cI mean, I expected a lot on New Year\u2019s night but when it\u2019s one of your people, or one of your old friends or somebody you grew up with, you don\u2019t know what to think.\u201d<\/p>\n
One witness who spoke with 7News said it appeared to happen after two people got into an argument but authorities have not made any conclusions.<\/p>\n
The incident remains under investigation.<\/p>\n
If you have additional information regarding this incident, please contact Detective J. Sanchez of the homicide unit at 954-828-4900 or call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.<\/p>\n
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.<\/p>\n
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