Homeless man arrested for displaying gun at downtown library

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jermine Leon Daniels, 41, was arrested yesterday for allegedly displaying a pistol at the downtown library on November 7.

At about 9:42 a.m. on November 7, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to the downtown library branch (401 E. University Avenue), where the victim said Daniels started harassing him as soon as he arrived at the library. He said he and Daniels argued verbally for a minute or two, and then he went to sit down, but while he was sitting, Daniels took a black firearm from his backpack and raised it at him. The victim said he was in fear for his life and called 911.

Daniels reportedly walked away while the victim was on the phone with the 911 calltaker, but he returned when officers arrived.

An officer reported that video from the library was “unable to be reviewed” while he was at the scene, and there were witnesses who said they never saw a firearm during the argument. Daniels consented to a search of his person and his backpack, and no gun was found, so Daniels was released.

A few days later, an officer reviewed surveillance video at the library and reported that it clearly showed Daniels and the victim arguing; after the victim walked away, Daniels kept yelling at him and then took a small black gun from his backpack and raised it at the victim before quickly lowering it and placing it back in the backpack. Daniels then walked to the rear of the library and put something in the bushes. About 45 minutes later, Daniels can be seen returning to the bushes and picking something up.

The officer wrote, “After reviewing the video, it is clear that Daniels was in possession of a small black handgun,” and he appeared to have hidden it in the bushes while the victim was on the phone.

Daniels, who is described as homeless in court documents, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He has 10 felony convictions (one violent) and 10 misdemeanor convictions (one violent) and has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in March 2023. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $250,000, the same amount set by Judge David Kreider in Daniels’ arrest warrant.

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.