Staff Report
NEWBERRY, Fla. – Authorities took John Joseph Demko Jr., 36, into custody on allegations of firing a shotgun at his back door while under the influence of alcohol.
According to a report from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy, Demko had been in a prolonged argument with his wife throughout the day. Upon returning home, Demko began drinking as he prepared dinner. At some point, the couple separated within the house, after which Demko allegedly armed himself with a 12-gauge shotgun and shot the back door, leaving a hole roughly the size of a golf ball.
After the incident, Demko reportedly left the scene but returned about 10 minutes after deputies arrived. He then surrendered and confessed, saying, “I shot the gun, and I’m wrong.”
Following his Miranda rights being read, Demko reportedly acknowledged that he had previously loaded the shotgun intending to shoot squirrels, and he admitted to firing it within the house.
Demko has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, child neglect, and using a firearm under the influence of alcohol. He has no local criminal history, and Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $25,000.
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.