Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities have arrested 35-year-old Cornelius Davon Henderson from Tallahassee, following accusations of firing a pistol into the air while making threats against his ex-girlfriend and her young child.
According to a report by the Gainesville Police Department, the incident occurred when the victim, accompanied by her one-year-old, visited a home in the Pine Ridge area to meet friends. The victim stated she encountered Henderson at the location, who left after purchasing marijuana.
The victim recounted walking south on NW 23rd Terrace when a maroon or burgundy vehicle approached her. Henderson was reportedly inside the car and asked her for a lighter. Upon declining any interaction with him, the victim said Henderson reacted with anger, brandishing a purple handgun. He allegedly pointed the weapon skyward, declaring, “I’m gonna fire this [expletive] gun,” before discharging a shot. The victim expressed that she feared for her and her child’s safety during the incident.
Friends of the victim, who remained at the Pine Ridge residence, confirmed to the officer that they heard a gunshot coming from the south of their location.
The officer learned from law enforcement databases that Henderson and his current girlfriend had been pulled over in a red vehicle on June 29, and they found the vehicle, which was registered to Henderson’s girlfriend, parked outside her residence in Oak Glade.
The officer reported that while he was investigating the vehicle, Henderson’s girlfriend came outside and told him her vehicle had not been to Pine Ridge, Henderson was not in her residence, and her gun was locked up inside her residence. After a “lengthy” period, she reportedly admitted that Henderson had been living with her for a few months and that they had driven to Pine Ridge earlier that day to buy “weed.” She reportedly said she owns a purple gun and gave consent to remove it from her car; a loaded purple 9mm handgun was reportedly collected from her car.
The officer spoke to Henderson by phone, and he reportedly said he had left to go back to Tallahassee, had not been to Pine Ridge that day, had not spoken with the victim, and had not fired a gun. Henderson eventually came out of the residence and was detained, but he continued to deny having a gun that day.
A search at the jail reportedly produced a 9mm bullet in Henderson’s pocket.
Henderson has been charged with two counts of domestic aggravated assault with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. His full criminal history is unavailable because of the holiday, but he has served two state prison sentences, with his last release in October 2025. Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $120,000.
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.