Published: February 26, 2020

THE FLORENCE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING AN OVERNIGHT SHOOTING THAT LEFT ONE LAUDERDALE COUNTY MAN DEAD AND ANOTHER MAN INJURED. SHORTLY BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WERE DISPATCHED TO A REPORT OF SHOTS FIRED IN THE CYPRESS POINTE AREA OF WEST FLORENCE. RESPONDING OFFICERS WERE ADVISED THAT A MAN HAD BEEN SHOT IN THE AREA OF 1430 CARVER COURT AND UPON ARRIVING IN THE AREA OFFICERS LOCATED A BLACK MALE WHO HAD SUCCUMBED TO HIS INJURIES. THE MALE WAS IDENTIFIED AS REGINALD JACKIE WATKINS, II, 45, OR FLORENCE.  WHILE INVESTIGATING, A SECOND MALE WITH GUNSHOT WOUNDS WAS LOCATED AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL. THIS MALE WAS TREATED FOR HIS INJURIES AND LATER RELEASED FROM MEDICAL CARE. IT IS BELIEVED THAT BOTH MEN SUSTAINED GUNSHOT WOUNDS FROM THE SAME INCIDENT AND THAT THE PARTIES INVOLVED WERE ACQUAINTANCES. THE MOTIVE OF THE SHOOTING IS UNCLEAR AT THIS TIME.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION THAT MAY ASSIST WITH THE CASE IS ENCOURAGED TO CALL 256-768-2728.