Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Samuel Demarcus Staten, 33, was arrested early yesterday morning and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after allegedly confronting travelers at a gas station and then threatening to shoot them.

At about 5:20 a.m. Sunday morning, Staten allegedly confronted the victim, who is from Palm Coast, at the door of a gas station on Archer Road; before Staten said anything, the victim reportedly said he didn’t have any money to give him and entered the store with his wife.

A third person traveling with the victim entered the store behind the couple, and Staten allegedly told that person, “I’ve got something for your friends.” When the victim and his wife came out of the store, Staten reportedly started yelling at them, saying he was not a panhandler and was not asking for money. He then allegedly pulled a handgun out of his pocket and held it in his hand. The victim backed away and told his wife to get in the car, and Staten allegedly yelled, “I’ll blow you away,” before walking away.

A Gainesville Police Department officer responded to the call and watched surveillance video footage that reportedly showed Staten sitting outside the front door as the victim and his wife walked in; Staten then got up when their friend entered the store. However, the altercation took place out of view of the cameras.

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The victim told officers that Staten had walked across the street after the incident, and officers found him in that area; an officer confirmed that he was the same person seen in the store video at the entrance.

A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a loaded Ruger 9mm gun.

Post Miranda, Staten reportedly described the altercation the same way the victim did, except that he denied saying he would blow the victim away; he said he initially approached the victim because his car had broken down a few blocks away but didn’t get a chance to say that before the victim said he didn’t have any money. He reportedly admitted to pulling out a gun and said he held it behind his back while he argued with the victim. He said he pled guilty to robbery in 2009 and served four years in prison.

Staten’s criminal history and bail information are unavailable because the courts are closed today for a holiday.

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.