Gainesville man arrested after shooting gun into the air at Smokey Bear Park

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jalen M Johnson, 19, was arrested this morning and charged with discharging a firearm in public, improper exhibition of a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm without a permit, and aggravated domestic assault after allegedly firing a gun into the air at Smokey Bear Park, 2601 NE 15th Street.

Johnson reportedly agreed to meet a former girlfriend at the park this morning but argued with her after arriving. The woman reportedly took his cell phone and used it to call an Uber so he would leave the park.

However, Johnson allegedly took out a 9mm pistol and fired it to the right of the victim, at which point she gave him his phone back and intended to leave, but she told a Gainesville Police Department Officer that Johnson sat on a park bench and put the gun to his head, so she stayed until the Uber arrived, out of fear that he would kill himself.

The events were reportedly witnessed by multiple people in and around the park, including children.

The officer reported that the Uber was leaving just as she arrived, so she followed the Uber and stopped it at 2400 N. Main Street. She called Johnson out of the vehicle and detained him, then reportedly found the loaded firearm in the back pocket of the passenger seat in the Uber.

Post Miranda, Johnson reportedly admitted taking out his pistol and firing it to get the victim to give his phone back.

Johnson has no local criminal history; bail information is not yet available.

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.