21-year-old sentenced to 20 mandatory years in prison for shooting at officers
BY JENNIFER CABRERA
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – D’armani Demetrius Devon Ward, 21, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after entering a plea of nolo contendere to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, attempted armed burglary, battery, fleeing, and seven counts of second-degree attempted murder for shooting at police officers.
Gainesville Police responded to a report of dating violence at Museum Walk Apartments on October 6, 2021. Officers discovered that D’armani Ward had pointed a gun at his girlfriend and fled the area. Officers located the vehicle that Ward was reportedly driving and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Ward led Gainesville Police on a chase over 30 city blocks in heavy traffic, then fled to his mother’s home and barricaded himself inside. After a few hours, Ward attempted to exit the house and shot in the direction of officers. Ward was shot in the gunfire exchange.
On January 9, 2023, Ward entered a plea and was sentenced to 20 years on each of the second-degree murder charges, the mandatory minimum, in the Florida Department of Corrections, along with lesser sentences on the other charges. The sentences will be served concurrently, and with credit for 462 days served, Ward will be released on October 4, 2041.
Assistant State Attorney Michael Becker represented the State of Florida, and Judge William Davis presided over the court hearing and sentenced Ward.
Is that a bandage on his head or a turban?
It’s a District 1 turban, to clarify.
LOL, I just about fell out laughing when I saw the picture. District 1 turban indeed….
It’s a shame that law enforcement is not a better shot the need to spend more time at the range
Good for him.
That hairstyle again, maybe LEOs should start profiling that.
He’s shooting at officers…do you really think he won’t shoot at you or your family? Better protect yourselves and your family. People like this are keeping LEOs busy.
20 years is a little light given everything he was charged with. I’m sure when he is released he will be a changed person wanting to be a productive person. Yeah right.
He deserves immediate death
Did you feel the same about your DUIs?
DUI…say it wit me lol. D.U.I
Yes, the town lawyers know officers are an essential link in paying off their law skool loans.
I wonder if the guns will be taken away from the police officers now since this criminal was injured while not being compliant.
KEELHAULING is definitely in order.
Only 20 years? He’ll be out in 10, (or sooner)…a 31 year old hardened (if he isn’t already) criminal, ready to commit more mayhem upon the community. Too bad there aren’t any penal colonies anymore.
On a 20-year sentence, he will serve at least 17 years. You should learn how things work first.
On a 20 year minimum mandatory he will do 20years day for day lol you should learn as well Lmao
Lucky for him the bullet only hit his brain and not something more vital.