Crime & Safety
Alachua County, FL Arrest: 3 Guns Found After Gas Station Threat
Gainesville, FL – A 19 year old man was arrested after allegedly pointing a firearm at a gas station employee and threatening to kill the worker, an investigation that later led deputies to three hand
By Nora Whitfield · 2026-10-05T20:31:27.423Z
Gainesville, FL – A 19 year old man was arrested after allegedly pointing a firearm at a gas station employee and threatening to kill the worker, an investigation that later led deputies to three handguns, including one reported stolen.
According to the Alachua County Sheriff 's Office, deputies responded early Saturday to a gas station in the 4300 block of Southeast Hawthorne Road following a reported armed disturbance.
An employee told investigators that several people had entered the store and that one of them, identified by authorities as James McCray, allegedly had a firearm visible in his waistband.
When the employee asked the group to leave, a verbal altercation followed, according to deputies. Before leaving, McCray allegedly pulled out the firearm, pointed it at the employee and threatened to kill the worker.
The group then allegedly fled on foot toward nearby apartments.
Deputies canvassed the area and reviewed security footage before locating several people matching descriptions in the 4100 block of Southeast 10th Place. No firearms were found on them at that time, but investigators said McCray was identified as the person involved in the alleged threat.
Detectives later obtained a search warrant for a nearby apartment the group had allegedly entered after the incident.
Authorities said three handguns were recovered inside, including one reported stolen to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office in 2020.
McCray was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. The charge is an allegation, and guilt must be determined in court.
The sheriff's office said the case remains under active investigation and additional information is being withheld to protect the investigation.