Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jamie Lamar Ball, 48, was arrested yesterday after allegedly shooting a pistol multiple times at Forest View Apartments, formerly known as The Pavilion on 62nd.

At about 6:49 p.m. on November 24, Gainesville Police Department officers responded to multiple calls about gunshots at Forest View (1000 SW 62nd Blvd). Witnesses pointed officers to building 13, where Ball was reportedly found walking away from the building, near the area where four shell casings were found.

Officers detained Ball, and a search incident to arrest reportedly produced a single .380 round in his pocket that matched the casings found outside his apartment, along with a set of keys that included a key to a safe. A K-9 search reportedly led to a pistol in a safe on the back porch of Ball’s apartment, next to a pile of mail addressed to Ball and a box of matching .380 rounds with five rounds missing.

Post Miranda, Ball reportedly denied ever carrying the firearm and said he had not fired it outside. The arresting officer reported that Ball did not explain why he had a .380 round in his pocket. Ball reportedly said there are three sets of keys to his safe: one was previously lost, one is with a friend he has not seen or heard from in months, and the third is the one found in his pocket. Ball reportedly admitted there was a handgun in his safe and he is the only person with access to it.

The officer reported that Ball appeared to be under the influence of alcoholic beverages and a witness said he had been drinking all day.

Ball has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm on residential property, and using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol. He has two felony convictions (none violent) and 10 misdemeanor convictions (two violent). Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $40,000.

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.