From Staff Reports
In Summary:
Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff's Office are investigating a deadly Memorial Day shooting on South Central Avenue in South Apopka that claimed the life of 56-year-old Olinka Jabitta. Neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots and described previous incidents involving gunfire in the area. The shooting comes as Gun Violence Archive data shows thousands of firearm-related deaths and injuries nationwide in 2026, continuing the national debate over gun violence and firearm policy.
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A deadly shooting in South Apopka on Memorial Day evening has renewed concerns about gun violence in a neighborhood where residents say shootings and gunfire have become an unsettling reality.
Related: Gun deaths among children and teens have soared – but there are ways to reverse the trend.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 5:30 pm Monday to a residence on South Central Avenue after reports of a shooting. When deputies arrived, they found 56-year-old Olinka Jabitta suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
The investigation remains active, and authorities have not announced any arrests or released details about what led to the shooting.
Neighbors who spoke with media outlets described hearing multiple gunshots and said the property had been the site of previous disturbances. Some residents reported prior incidents involving gunfire in the area, while one homeowner said bullets had struck their home during earlier incidents.
The shooting also comes amid continued nationwide concerns over firearm violence.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, the United States had recorded more than 5,000 gun-related deaths and over 9,000 injuries in 2026 as of May 24. The organization also documented 158 mass shootings during the first nearly five months of the year.
Children and teenagers continue to account for a significant number of victims. Gun Violence Archive data showed 86 children ages 11 and younger had been killed in gun-related incidents this year, while 327 teenagers ages 12-17 had also died.
The broader firearms debate in the United States remains deeply divided. In communities like South Apopka, however, the debate often feels less political and more personal for residents concerned about their neighborhood safety.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has not released additional information about the South Central Avenue shooting investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the investigators.
Key Points:
- A 56-year-old woman, identified as Olinka Jabitta, died after a Memorial Day shooting on South Central Avenue in South Apopka.
- Orange County deputies responded to the scene around 5:30 p.m. and continue to investigate the homicide.
- Neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots and described previous gun-related incidents in the area.
- Gun Violence Archive data shows more than 5,000 gun-related deaths and over 9,000 injuries nationwide in 2026 as of May 24.
- The shooting reflects ongoing national and local concerns about gun violence and neighborhood safety.
