Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Marquis Ty-keem Brown, 18, and Furquan Alif Thompson Jr., 18, were arrested last night for unlawfully carrying concealed firearms.

At about 6:46 p.m. on September 4, a Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Brown for a stop sign violation at the exit of Unity Park (1710 NE 31st Avenue).

The officer noted that Brown was breathing rapidly and his hand was shaking; he also noted the smell of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. The officer instructed Brown to step out of the vehicle, noting that he had prior knowledge that Brown carries handguns and was recently involved in a shooting being investigated by GPD.

The officer conducted a pat-down of Brown and reportedly found a loaded Glock 23 in his waistband.

Thompson was also asked to get out of the vehicle and was told he would be patted down; he allegedly started running, but two officers reportedly grabbed him, and all three fell to the ground. As the officers told him to stop resisting, Thompson allegedly kept trying to pull away, but he was eventually placed in handcuffs.

While placing Thompson in handcuffs, officers saw an extended magazine sticking out from his waistband and reportedly removed a Taurus G3 with a blue rubber grip that had been reported stolen in Gainesville in 2023. Before acknowledging his Miranda rights, Thompson reportedly said, “I’m going back to prison.”

A small amount of marijuana “shake,” too little to weigh, was reportedly found on the floorboards in the front seat of the vehicle.

Post Miranda, Brown reportedly said he was carrying a gun for self-defense and bought it from a man he did not know. He was reportedly unable to provide a name for the seller or say how much he paid for the gun.

Post Miranda, Thompson reportedly said he didn’t know his gun was stolen and admitted to carrying the gun for protection because Brown was “just shot at.”

Brown has been charged with unlawfully carrying a concealed firearm. He has juvenile convictions between 2023 and 2025 but no adult convictions. Judge George Wright set bail at $25,000.

Thompson has been charged with unlawfully carrying a concealed firearm and resisting an officer without violence. He has juvenile convictions in 2024 but no adult convictions; he is currently on juvenile probation for vehicle burglary and fraudulent use of credit cards. Judge Wright set bail at $15,000.

Thompson is also facing a Notice to Appear for allegedly jumping on the hood of an occupied car at Eastside High School in April 2025 and stomping the windshield, breaking it. He was charged with property damage and violating probation in that case.

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.