Man on probation arrested after allegedly tossing a loaded gun toward patrons in a crowded bar

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jedrick Jose Hernandez-Rodriguez, 23, of Ocala, was arrested early this morning after allegedly running from an officer who asked him for an ID and throwing a loaded gun toward patrons in a crowded bar.

At about 12:10 a.m. on August 24, a Gainesville Police Department officer was conducting bar checks and asked Hernandez-Rodriguez, who was inside a nightclub, for his identification. Hernandez-Rodriguez reportedly said he did not have any ID on him but briefly showed the officer a picture of a Florida driver’s license on his phone. The officer reported that while he was speaking with Hernandez-Rodriguez, Hernandez-Rodriguez used an electronic vape that smelled like marijuana.

The officer informed Hernandez-Rodriguez that he was being detained, and Hernandez-Rodriguez allegedly ran into the crowded nightclub. The officer chased him and took him to the ground, and while Hernandez-Rodriguez was on the ground, resisting the officer’s attempts to handcuff him, he allegedly threw a gun onto the floor near the feet of several other patrons.

Hernandez-Rodriguez regained his feet and allegedly ran into a connecting nightclub, with the officer in pursuit. When Hernandez-Rodriguez continued to ignore commands to get on the ground and allegedly pulled away from a second officer, a taser was used to apprehend him.

The officer returned to the first nightclub, where bystanders pointed out the gun, a 9mm pistol with a round in the chamber and 26 rounds in the magazine.

Hernandez-Rodriguez, whose listed address is in Ocala but is shown as living in Tavares on the Department of Corrections website, has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, tampering with evidence, resisting an officer without violence, and unlawful concealment of a firearm. His full criminal history is unavailable, but he is currently on probation in Orange County for distribution of cocaine and marijuana. Judge Gloria Walker set bail at $50,000 on the new charges.

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.