Gino Nicolas, a 24-year-old African-American male, was tragically killed on April 16, 2016, in a drive-by shooting at the Landings at Carver Park apartment complex in Parramore, Orlando, FL. Nicolas, a youth leader and coordinator of Orlando's My Brother's Keeper initiative, was standing outside the apartment complex when a vehicle drove by and multiple individuals inside began firing handguns.
The same incident also claimed the life of 46-year-old Tanya Skeen, who was struck by a stray bullet while putting away groceries in her apartment, and injured four other men.
Nicolas was a prominent figure in the Parramore community, known for his dedication to helping at-risk youth. He had graduated from Florida State University and returned to Orlando to lead initiatives aimed at closing opportunity gaps for young men of color. His death sent shockwaves through the community, leaving many grieving the loss of a promising young leader.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that neither Nicolas nor Skeen were the intended targets. The Orlando Police Department struggled to gather witness testimonies and faced challenges in identifying the suspects. However, it was later discovered that the shooting stemmed from an altercation at a downtown bar involving some of the victims and the alleged shooters.
In December 2016, Christopher Miller and his half-brother, Lavon Shinn, were arrested and charged with the murders of Gino Nicolas and Tanya Skeen. Both men were convicted, with Shinn receiving a life sentence in March 2018. Miller was also sentenced to life in prison for two counts of second-degree murder, along with additional sentences for related charges. The convictions brought some measure of justice to the families of the victims, though the community continued to mourn the senseless loss of life.
