Man With Record in Polk Killed in Gainesville

Published: Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 12:50 a.m. Last Modified: Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 12:50 a.m.

GAINESVILLE | A man with an extensive criminal history in Polk County was fatally shot early Wednesday outside a motel after he broke a window to the room where his ex-girlfriend was staying.

Van S. Gourdine, 36, of Gainesville.

Van S. Gourdine, 36, of Gainesville, was found dead by Alachua County Sheriff's deputies who were called to the Americas Best Value Inn, 7413 Newberry Road in Gainesville, on a report about a shooting.

Timothy Williams, 27, of Gainesville, told deputies he fatally shot Gourdine to protect the woman.

An investigation determined Gourdine had been searching for his ex-girlfriend for several days and had promised to hurt her if he found her, said Sheriff's Office spokesman Art Forgey.

Deputies and an Alachua County Fire Rescue crew found Gourdine dead in the parking spot directly in front of the room. Later Wednesday, two pools of blood and shards of broken tinted motel window glass could be seen in the parking spot. A man who identified himself as the hotel manager declined to comment as a crew finished installing a replacement window.

Deputies determined Gourdine's death was justified.

"So far, witness testimony and evidence collected has all been consistent," Forgey said in a news release.

Court records in Alachua and Polk counties show Gourdine has faced more than 30 criminal cases since 1996, but most of the charges were dropped.

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Man With Record in Polk Killed in Gainesville