Staff Report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Devon Z. Oliver, an 18-year-old, found himself under arrest yesterday on charges including possession of a firearm as an adjudicated delinquent, having a firearm with an altered serial number, and non-violent resistance to an officer.

The incident unfolded around 1:30 p.m. on October 22nd when a Gainesville Police Department officer initiated a traffic stop at Arbor Park Apartments (309 SW 16th Avenue) involving a scooter for an unspecified traffic violation. Upon making eye contact with the officer, the rider, later identified as Oliver, allegedly took off running westward through the apartment complex. Despite the officer’s command to halt, Oliver reportedly turned and fled eastward while clutching the right side of his clothing, a movement often associated with carrying a firearm.

The officer eventually discovered Oliver seated on the second-floor stairwell. Following the path he took, officers reportedly uncovered shoes matching those Oliver had worn during the stop and a 9mm Palmetto State firearm concealed in some bushes. This firearm, equipped with an extended magazine and loaded with 22 rounds, was wrapped with purple and white rubber bands, and notably, the serial number section was missing.

After being read his Miranda rights, Oliver allegedly confessed to purchasing the firearm a few months prior from an unidentified white man for $1,500. He admitted to tossing the firearm while fleeing, citing fear of being shot by the police as his reason. Oliver denied tampering with the serial number, stating he merely added the rubber bands.

Oliver, who attends an alternative high school, has been charged with possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent (the equivalent of a felony conviction for a juvenile), possessing an altered firearm, and resisting an officer without violence. He has a juvenile conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm, and Judge Adam Lee set bail at $105,000.

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.