Gainesville man arrested for pointing gun at co-worker, smashing car window

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Demetrius Jarrod Sweeting, 36, was arrested yesterday morning after allegedly following a co-worker home, pointing a gun at him, and then using the gun to break the rear window of the co-worker’s car.

The responding Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy reported that Sweeting and the victim have worked together for several years and on July 24, Sweeting became verbally confrontational with the victim. At the end of their shift, the victim reported that he went to his car and saw that Sweeting was sitting in the car parked next to him. He said Sweeting got out of his car, reached toward his pocket, and said he had something for him. The victim reported that he believed Sweeting was reaching for a weapon, so he just said, “Whatever,” got into his car, and drove away.

The victim said Sweeting followed him home in his own car, and on the way, the victim called a friend and asked her to unlock the door. When the victim arrived at his home, he parked on the street, and Sweeting also reportedly parked near the victim’s home. The victim got out of his car, and he said that on the way to the front door, he saw Sweeting pointing a black handgun at him. He said he thought he was going to be shot.

The victim said he made it inside and then looked out the window and saw Sweeting walk to his car and break the rear window by hitting it with the gun. The victim’s friend also reportedly told the deputy she saw Sweeting break the window of the victim’s car and saw Sweeting pointing a gun at the victim.

Sweeting was arrested at his home about an hour and a half later.

Post Miranda, Sweeting reportedly admitted to going to the victim’s home and breaking the victim’s car window after losing his temper; he denied ever having a gun. The deputy noted that Sweeting had cuts on his right thumb and middle finger, which Sweeting reportedly said were caused by breaking the window. The deputy estimated the damage to the car at $2,000.

Sweeting has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and property damage over $1,000. He has four convictions for traffic misdemeanors. Judge Kristine Van Vorst ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.

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.