Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – An 18-year-old woman, Brianna Castillo, was taken into custody early this morning following allegations of brandishing a firearm at another woman in downtown Gainesville. Castillo faces charges of unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon and allegedly driving a vehicle toward the victim, narrowly missing her.
The incident occurred around 3:37 a.m. on June 7, when Gainesville Police Department officers were dispatched to the 200 block of SE 2nd Avenue. According to reports, Castillo was engaged in an argument with the victim. During the altercation, Castillo is accused of drawing a handgun from her waistband and threatening the victim with it multiple times. The victim recounted feeling terrified, convinced she was in imminent danger of being shot.
The victim provided a description of the firearm, which officers later found under Castillo’s car seat, matching the victim’s account.
After being read her Miranda rights, Castillo reportedly acknowledged owning the gun. However, she denied pointing it at the victim, claiming instead that she merely held it by her side after removing it from her waistband.
The officer noted that it is illegal for Castillo to conceal a firearm because she is 18.
A witness reportedly said that a short time after the incident with the gun, Castillo drove a vehicle aggressively toward the victim, coming extremely close to hitting her. The victim reportedly confirmed that Castillo drove aggressively toward her, and she thought Castillo was going to hit her with the vehicle.
Castillo has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawfully carrying a concealed firearm. Her criminal history and bail amount will be available on Monday.
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.