Staff report

HAWTHORNE, Fla. – Jamal Alie Bouie, 18, was arrested yesterday and charged with grand theft of a firearm and unlawful concealed carry after deputies allegedly found a firearm in his backpack.

Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report that juveniles were handling a firearm in the area of 21500 SE 60th Road in Hawthorne at about 1:50 p.m. yesterday, and the first deputy to arrive saw three juveniles in the area. The deputy reported that one of the three left as he approached, and the other two said the one who left was Bouie and that he had shown them a gun he had taken from a bag. They reportedly said he carries the gun for protection.

The deputy reportedly found Bouie near 6200 SE 215th Street, and Bouie allegedly gave a false name when asked to identify himself. The deputy reported that Bouie initially admitted having a gun but quickly said he didn’t; he then became non-compliant, started backing away from deputies, and reached toward his backpack.

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Deputies detained Bouie to keep him from arming himself; at that point, Bouie reportedly said he was 18 and had a gun in his backpack. A search of the backpack reportedly produced a Springfield XDS 45 with one round in the magazine; the gun was reported stolen out of Flagler County in 2021.

Post Miranda, Bouie reportedly would not say where he got the gun but said he carried it for protection.

Criminal history and bail information is unavailable on weekends.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.