Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Antonio Devon Mayze, Sr., 31, was arrested early this morning for possession of a concealed firearm by a convicted felon after an officer made contact with him because his car resembled a car that was involved in a drive-by shooting in northwest Gainesville.

Early this morning, Gainesville Police Department officers responded to a call about a drive-by shooting in the 2000 block of NW 31st Avenue. Officers were looking for a silver vehicle that may have been involved in the shooting, and Mayze’s silver Chevrolet Impala matched the description.

At about 3:55 a.m., an officer made contact with the driver of the Impala, later identified as Mayze, in the 2000 block of NW 31st Place and noted that there was an odor of marijuana coming from the car. He also reported seeing marijuana in plain view on the rear floorboard.

A search of the vehicle reportedly produced a gun under a pillow in the rear seat, directly behind the driver.

Mayze has juvenile criminal convictions between 2006 and 2010, four felony convictions (none violent), and two misdemeanor convictions (none violent). He has served a state prison sentence for two cases (from separate arrests in May 2021 and June 2021) of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon or delinquent and was released in December 2022. He is on probation following a November 2023 conviction for possession of cocaine with intent to sell.

Gainesville Police Department has not released any other information about the shooting or responded to our request for more information.

Mayze has been charged with possession of a concealed firearm by a convicted felon and is currently being held without bail.

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.