By Staff Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dedan Justin Haynes, a 23-year-old resident of Ocala, found himself behind bars yesterday, accused of brandishing a firearm and threatening the life of a local business owner.
At approximately 11:30 a.m. on June 9, officers from the Gainesville Police Department responded to a disturbance on the 1800 block of NE 23rd Avenue. The business owner reported that Haynes visited his establishment to confront him about staying away from Haynes’s girlfriend, who happens to be the business owner’s ex-wife. During the heated exchange, Haynes allegedly drew a gun and threatened to kill the owner unless he ceased contact with the woman and her children.
One witness claimed to have observed the confrontation and overheard Haynes’s deadly threat, prompting her to leave the scene promptly.
Another onlooker recounted seeing Haynes return to his car amidst the shouting match. The witness reported hearing Haynes declare he was armed and threatened to shoot the victim before speeding away.
Haynes was reportedly found at his girlfriend’s house and was positively identified by the victim.
Post Miranda, Haynes reportedly admitted that he had displayed his gun, but he said he only pointed it at the ground while he backed away from the victim; he initially denied saying he would kill the victim, but when the officer confronted him with the witness accounts, he reportedly said they “had words,” but he had no intention of killing the victim.
The gun was reportedly found inside the house where Haynes was arrested.
Haynes has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He has no criminal convictions, and Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.
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.