By Staff Reporter

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Early this morning, police arrested 31-year-old Hamlet Jose Amarante after he allegedly brandished a firearm during a confrontation with a group of individuals in downtown Gainesville, threatening to shoot one of them.

Officers from the Gainesville Police Department were dispatched to 413 S. Main Street around 1:55 a.m. on December 25. According to the victim, an argument erupted between Amarante and the victim’s friend. During the altercation, Amarante allegedly pulled out a Glock 43, pointed it at the victim, and threatened, “I’ll shoot you [expletive].”

The victim recounted that Amarante had initially been seated across the street, “antagonizing” his friend. The situation escalated when Amarante crossed the street, engaged in a heated exchange with the victim and his friend, and eventually drew his firearm.

Upon the arrival of the first officer, several witnesses on the sidewalk at 27 SE 4th Avenue discreetly indicated that Amarante had a gun, pointing toward the backyard of the building. The officer observed Amarante attempting to climb over a chain-link fence. Following the officer’s command to halt, Amarante was apprehended and handcuffed. He reportedly admitted to having a gun in his waistband, which the officer subsequently confiscated.

Post Miranda, Amarante reportedly said he had been drinking downtown and went for a walk to sober up before driving. He said he got into a random argument with a group of homeless people and remembered that the victim’s friend had said, “You don’t want to do this.” However, the officer reported that Amarante could not explain why the man would say that.

Amarante said he sat down across the street from the group, rolled a marijuana joint, and walked over to the group to ask for a lighter. The officer noted that a search incident to arrest produced a lighter, but Amarante said he had forgotten he had it.

Amarante said an argument started, and he found himself surrounded, but he never displayed his gun or put his hand on it.

The officer reported that the callers who reported the incident stated that a firearm was visible during the argument. When the officer asked Amarante about that, Amarante reportedly admitted to putting his hand on his gun under his hoodie, but he still said he never pulled it from the waistband holster.

A search of Amarante’s bag incident to arrest reportedly produced about 9 grams of marijuana.

Amarante, whose listed address is in Pembroke Pines, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. His criminal history is unavailable, and Judge Julie Johnson ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.

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.