Staff Report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities apprehended Kenneth Ellis Wetherington, 59, last night, charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. This arrest came after officers conducted a search of his apartment, following reports of gunfire in the Midtown area.

At around 10:15 p.m. on November 21, officers from the Gainesville Police Department responded to calls about gunshots in the 100 block of NW 9th Terrace. Eyewitnesses indicated the shots originated from the parking lot at 102 NW 9th Terrace. One observer noted that Wetherington was involved in a dispute with an unidentified man, which escalated until Wetherington discharged a firearm.

Police encountered Wetherington at his residence within the same building where the gunfire was reported. A witness claimed that Wetherington confessed to having a gun during the altercation and admitted to firing multiple shots. Law enforcement reportedly discovered three .40 S&W Federal shell casings in the parking lot.

While Wetherington was detained, a conversation recorded on an officer’s body camera revealed a witness mentioning a potential search warrant for Wetherington’s apartment. During this exchange, Wetherington allegedly remarked, “Hopefully, they don’t find anything.”

A search warrant for Wetherington’s apartment was obtained, and officers reportedly found a handgun loaded with six .40 S&W Federal rounds that matched the shell casings recovered outside.

An additional loaded magazine for the handgun was also reportedly found, along with a broken shotgun, 28 rounds of .40 S&W Federal ammunition, and 26 rounds of 12-gauge shotgun ammunition.

Wetherington has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to the most recent court document from 2019, he has 11 felony convictions (one violent) and 14 misdemeanor convictions; he has served three state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2014. Judge Robert Groeb set bail at $100,000.

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.