Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – James Patrick Burtnett, 68, was arrested yesterday morning after a 16-year-old girl and a witness said he displayed a holstered gun and threatened to shoot the girl because she was on a sidewalk.

At about 9:10 a.m. on Sunday, a Gainesville Police Department Officer responded to the 2300 block of E. University Avenue, where the 16-year-old victim said she was standing on the sidewalk when Burtnett walked up to her aggressively and told her to leave the property or he would call the police. During this interaction, Burtnett allegedly showed the victim a 9mm handgun that was in a holster at his waist. The victim told the officer she was afraid Burtnett would draw the gun and shoot her.

A witness reportedly saw the interaction between Burtnett and the victim and walked over, knowing the victim was a juvenile. The witness said she heard Burtnett say, “I will shoot you,” and the witness said she saw the gun.

Post Miranda, Burtnett said he is the neighborhood crime watch and was simply telling the victim to leave because she did not belong there. However, he later admitted that he is not employed by the property management at Harpers Pointe and acted on his own accord. He reportedly admitted displaying the gun without taking it from its holster after the victim “charged” toward him. Burtnett reportedly referred to the victim as “the kid” several times, indicating that he knew the victim was a juvenile.

Burtnett has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and child abuse without great bodily harm. He has no local criminal history; bail has not yet been set.

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.