Alachua man arrested for shooting outside Bahama Breeze
BY JENNIFER CABRERA
Kenneth Michael Burton, 47, of Alachua, was arrested early this morning on charges of attempted murder, felony battery, and theft of a firearm, among others.
According to the arrest report, Burton and the female victim were in a dating relationship and recently broke up. She had filed an injunction against Burton for protection against dating violence in November of 2019 and had updated it on July 9, 2020.
She had also filed two police reports against Burton, one on July 8 for violation of the injunction and one on July 10 for harassing and obscene phone calls.
At about 10:42 p.m. on July 10, the female victim was at Bahama Breeze with a male friend. Burton allegedly showed up at Bahama Breeze and confronted the two, in violation of the court injunction.
The friend attempted to calm Burton down, but Burton allegedly punched him in the face, cutting him on the chin (it was later determined that the cut would require stitches and would likely leave a scar).
A witness then said they saw Burton force his way into the female victim’s vehicle, where he allegedly stole her 9mm handgun. When the two victims saw that Burton had a gun, they fled the area. The female victim left in her vehicle, and Burton allegedly fired a shot at her vehicle. At some point, Burton shot himself in the leg.
Burton was apprehended at a neighboring apartment complex around 2:20 a.m. and taken to the hospital. Post Miranda, he admitted that an injunction had been filed against him, that he confronted the victim at Bahama Breeze (claiming he went there to give her money he owed her), that he entered her vehicle and took her gun, that he ran in her direction as she fled, and that he shot himself in the leg. He denied shooting at her.
Burton has been charged with attempted murder of the female victim, felony battery on the male victim, burglary to an auto while armed, violation of an injunction for protection against stalking, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and theft of a firearm.
Burton is a convicted felon who was released from prison on July 23, 2019.
During a time when people are advocating for change in society regarding racial injustice, claiming to be “woke,” screaming for police reform, we have an alleged shooting against an ex-girlfriend by a black American. I don’t know if the victim was black, brown, yellow or white. Doesn’t matter, the fact is that while many faces are speaking out against the injustices being committed by some law enforcement agencies – rightfully so, these same voices choose to ignore these types of crimes.
In case anyone is keeping score…
In little old Alachua county there has been 1 attack on a white man by another white man.
A shooting of two other black individuals by 2 other black men. This alleged attempted shooting by this black man at his ex-girlfriend. No shootings by local law enforcement of anyone.
Almost forgot – two meetings by local leaders to address police reform.
ALL IN THE SPAN OF ONE WEEK!
Anyone besides myself see a trend here?
My favorite part of the story is when he “shot himself in
the leg” and then confessed to everything…Criminals
Like this need to be locked up, 10,20, life…”don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time”.
Why are you picking on Mr. Burton? In just Alachua County he has felony charges in 2012, three in 2013, two in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and now these new ones in 2020. In Alachua he qualifies as a law abiding citizen.