1 of 3 people injured in second shooting at Ginnie Springs dies; FDLE still looking for suspect

Anyone with information is asked to call FDLE at (386) 462-9975

Ginnie Springs (Photo by (WT-de) Mistoffeles via Wikimedia Commons)

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – One of three people injured in the second shooting at Ginnie Springs over Memorial Day weekend has died, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced on Friday.

The Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement held a news conference Tuesday to provide updates. A total of four people were shot over the Memorial Day weekend.

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The first shooting happened Friday after visitors got into an argument over a parking spot at the park, according to the GCSO.

The two groups got into a fight an hour before the shooting, deputies said. It was assumed the fights were resolved, but Koty Stewart, 34, of Jacksonville, was found shot near the Beaver’s Landing bathhouse. He did not survive.

MORE: Georgia brothers arrested in fatal shooting of Jacksonville man at Ginnie Springs over parking spot: GCSO

Koty Stewart, 34 (WJXT)

Two brothers from St. Marys, Georgia, Fisher and Dallas Watts, left the park after the shooting but were later arrested and booked into the Camden County jail in connection with Stewart’s death.

Fisher Watts, 18, was charged with first-degree murder. Dallas Watts was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and resisting arrest without violence.

Gilchrist County sheriff announces arrest of two Georgia brothers after shooting at Ginnie Springs over Memorial Day weekend (WJXT)

Stewart’s sister said her brother was an amazing human being.

“He wanted nothing more but for his family to be loved and taken care of. His main purpose in life was to take care of his loved ones around him. He was the best son, father, husband, brother and friend,” she said. “This death has impacted our family in a way I never thought could happen. Koty didn’t deserve this. He worked every day and went home to his wife and kids.”

WATCH: Full Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office update

The second shooting was Saturday around 11:30 p.m. in the roadway inside the park, between the Devil’s Spring and the Tube Launch.

Deputies said a “large” fight broke out, causing someone to shoot into the crowd. Three people were hit and taken to the hospital.

Two people were treated and released. The third person was transported to a hospital in serious condition, where he died.

On Friday, FDLE identified the victim as 26-year-old Marco Mandujano.

No arrests have been made in the Saturday shooting.

The sheriff’s office said crowd and drug and alcohol issues at Ginnie Springs have escalated over the years.

There were 35 police officers from various agencies at the park over the weekend.

The shootings closed the park, but it was reopened the next day.

Agents are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have information about this case to call FDLE at (386) 462-9975.


About the Authors

Marcela joined News4JAX in 2023. She grew up in Mexico and eventually moved to California to pursue her dream of becoming a journalist. Now, she is a proud San Diego State University alumna who has many years of experience in TV and digital journalism.

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