Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Pierre Lavon Williams, 35, was arrested yesterday morning after allegedly shooting inside his house during an argument; he was also booked on a warrant for home invasion robbery at the Baymont Inn on January 12.

At about 7 a.m. on January 29, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a call about a fight between Williams and his adult son. The deputy reported that the altercation started between Williams and his son’s mother, but after the fight de-escalated and the woman walked back to her bedroom, a gunshot was heard in the living room area. A witness reportedly told the deputy that Williams was the only person in that room at that time, but the witness did not see the gun.

Williams’ adult son heard the gunshot and came out of his room, and he and Williams reportedly engaged in a physical fight, resulting in a small abrasion to Williams’ son. Knowing Williams had a handgun in his pocket, his son reportedly picked up a kitchen knife to defend himself, and Williams allegedly drew the gun and pointed it at his son’s face at a distance of about 5-10 feet, threatening to shoot him. Williams’ son reportedly retreated to his bedroom until the deputy arrived.

The deputy reported that a .380 handgun had been fired in the living room area and a shell casing had been picked up by a juvenile and moved to a different room. A .380 bullet was reportedly recovered from the wall in the living room. Two witnesses reportedly described the handgun, but the deputy reported that “despite extensive efforts,” the gun was not found.

Post Miranda, Williams reportedly denied fighting with his son and denied possessing or discharging a gun.

Williams was also booked on a warrant from a January 12 incident that preceded the arrest of Javon Reshard Myhand. That investigation began when Myhand called 911 to report that he had been robbed. Myhand reportedly said Williams had come to his room at the Baymont Inn with a gun, forcing his way in and stealing $3,500 in cash from the desk drawer. Myhand said Williams had his gun in his hand and threatened to kill him; he said that after taking the money, Williams fled in a black sedan.

Williams has been charged with home invasion robbery in the January 12 case and firing a weapon into a dwelling, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and aggravated battery with a prior battery conviction in yesterday’s case. He has 11 felony convictions (none violent) and 13 misdemeanor convictions (two violent) and has served four state prison sentences, with his most recent release in June 2023. Williams is on pre-trial release in Gilchrist County on a felony petit theft charge. Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial.

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.