19-year-old on probation arrested for Oaks Mall attack that led to self-defense shooting

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kellis Marquis Kennedy, 19, was arrested yesterday and charged under Florida’s rioting statute for his alleged role in an attack on a man at the Oaks Mall on February 14, which resulted in the victim firing a gunshot inside a jewelry store; Ra’jon Richard White, 19, and Vontrell Deshune Scott II, 18, were previously arrested on the same charges.

A Gainesville Police Department officer reported that at about 2:45 p.m. on February 14, the victim and a female were shopping at Kay Jewelers in the Oaks Mall (6333 W. Newberry Road) when three males surrounded the victim, preventing him from fleeing. White allegedly started punching him, and Scott and Kennedy also allegedly punched the victim multiple times while they were all standing in front of the jewelry counter.

A witness reportedly tried to intervene but was pushed to the side by Kennedy. The victim reportedly tried to run, but he fell, and Scott allegedly jumped and stomped on the victim while he was on the ground. While on the ground and being kicked, the victim pulled a pistol from his waistband and fired one shot in self-defense.

Click here for our article about the victim’s arrest for illegally carrying a concealed firearm.

Employees of the store ran to hide behind the counters while the victim and the three suspects ran out of the mall. Mall customers reportedly locked themselves inside department stores until law enforcement arrived. The officer wrote that the victim, the witness, and other mall customers were injured, including but not limited to an elderly woman who was trampled and received medical treatment at the scene, and “numerous” people were endangered by the actions of the suspects.

Florida’s rioting statute states, “A person commits a riot if he or she willfully participates in a violent public disturbance involving an assembly of three or more persons, acting with a common intent to assist each other in violent and disorderly conduct, resulting in: (a) Injury to another person; (b) Damage to property; or (c) Imminent danger of injury to another person or damage to property.”

The officer noted that the three suspects “have been known to associate themselves with the criminal gang ‘EBK’” in southwest Gainesville.

A warrant for Kennedy’s arrest was issued on February 19, and he was arrested yesterday.

Kennedy, who is a designated violent felony offender of special concern, has been charged with battery and rioting. He has two adult felony convictions (non-violent) and three adult misdemeanor convictions (one violent) and is on probation for burglary to an occupied dwelling and grand theft of a motor vehicle. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $750,000.

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.