Adult son accused of firing five gunshots at own mother during argument

Adult son accused of firing five gunshots at own mother during argument

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – An argument at a home in Gainesville ended with a mother fleeing in terror as her adult son fired five shots at her car. Other family members, including one minor, were inside the house during the incident, police said, but no one was injured. 

Brandon Dwayne “BigKuntry” Holsey, 33, of Gainesville, faces an attempted felony murder charge, according to court records. He remained in the Alachua County Jail on Monday and was being represented by a public defender. 

Police said Holsey argued with another woman in a car outside the family’s home early Saturday, when Holsey’s mother criticized his behavior and began to leave in her car. That’s when police said Holsey fired five rounds at her from the front porch, causing his mother to speed away. His 25- and 16-year-old siblings were still in the home, police said.

After his arrest, Holsey – who had no serious criminal history – appeared surprised when police asked about the shooting. He said he never hurt his mother then asked to speak with a lawyer, police said.

Holsey could not be reached to discuss the matter. The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office does not permit defendants in jail to talk to reporters without written permission from their defense lawyers and a senior jail official, and public defenders in the county do not speak to reporters about their clients as a matter of routine.

Holsey’s Facebook page is mostly composed of posts about his love for his son and brothers. He included a 2021 announcement about a then-upcoming family reunion that included the message, “Family is everything.”  

Gainesville police initially noted the shooting incident publicly on its social media account then deleted the note without explanation. Police did not immediately respond to phone messages about why they deleted the post.

Holsey’s mother was not identified by name in police records under Marsy’s Law, intended to protect the privacy of crime victims. Holsey’s twin brother, Tavaris D’Mikaal Holsey, declined to talk about the incident. 

Police said after firing the gun, Holsey entered the home, broke some items and tried to smash a window with the pistol, but the gun flew out of his hand into the front yard. The gun’s magazine slipped out, and Holsey’s younger brother picked it up and hid it in his pocket because he feared Holsey would shoot him or his sister, police said.

Police found five shell casings on the front porch and the firearm in the front yard. The brother still had the magazine when police arrived.

Home to the University of Florida, Gainesville has been experiencing a surge in gun violence that has frustrated civil leaders and law enforcement. The city commission declared a gun violence crisis in February, and city leaders held a summit last month to consider possible solutions. Shootings downtown on weekends are shockingly routine.

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