Man arrested for threatening to shoot former co-worker
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jose Miguel Torres-Melendez, 27, was arrested early this morning for allegedly threatening to shoot a former co-worker at Bellamy Grand apartments in July.
At about 3:10 p.m. on July 5, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to Bellamy Grand (2625 SW 75th Street), where the victim said Torres-Melendez, a former co-worker, had told him over the phone that anyone “bringing gossip” to his girlfriend would get shot. The victim said he told Torres-Melendez that he took the comment as a threat, and the two men, who both lived in the apartment complex, reportedly agreed to meet in the parking lot.
The argument continued in the parking lot, and Torres-Melendez allegedly went to his vehicle, took out a handgun, racked the slide, and approached the victim while holding the gun near his leg. Torres-Melendez allegedly threatened to shoot the victim, and the victim said that caused him to fear for his life, so he backed away, but Torres-Melendez “chest-bumped” him and then pushed him several times before he could get away.
The victim said he called Torres-Melendez’s mother and asked her to talk to Torres-Melendez “to avoid further problems,” and Torres-Melendez allegedly called the victim a few minutes later and said he would shoot him the next time he saw him.
The deputy was unable to locate Torres-Melendez and filed a sworn complaint.
Torres-Melendez has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery. His criminal history is currently unavailable because the court website is down, and we will update it when we can. Judge Meshon Rawls 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.
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