Man who threatened to shoot up middle school sentenced to three years in prison
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Daniel Julio Dominguez, 32, was sentenced today to three years in state prison, followed by 10 years of probation. Prosecutors had requested a sentence of 15 years in prison.
Dominguez was arrested in October 2023 after posting an Instagram video in which he said he wanted to shoot up a middle school on a weekend so police would kill him. Statements in the video reportedly included, “I have decided to take up arms and attack the state. I intend to target a middle school, particularly the middle school I went to” and “I will be going on a Saturday or a Sunday when no children are there, with the intention of getting off as many NATO .556 rounds from my AR-15 at the building.”
Evidence was later presented by the prosecution that Dominguez attended Kanapaha Middle School.
On March 6, Dominguez was convicted by a jury of making a threat to commit a mass shooting and then mistakenly released on $5,000 bond by Judge Peter Sieg to await sentencing. Dominguez was re-arrested on March 8.
Today, Assistant State Attorney Britanee Prince led the prosecution team in the sentencing hearing, and over four hours of testimony were heard, with 30 character witnesses testifying on behalf of Dominguez. Prosecutors, however, reiterated their request for a sentence of 15 years.
Judge Sieg, who presided over the sentencing hearing, noted that during the entire four hours of testimony, nobody except the prosecutors considered the victims in the case. Judge Sieg stated that the victims were those students at Kanapaha Middle School, Wiles Elementary School, and any other child who was able to view the disturbing video authored by Dominguez, and he said he hoped the sentence would deter others.
Judge Sieg sentenced Dominguez to three years in the Florida Department of Corrections, followed by 10 years of felony probation. Dominguez is not to possess any firearms or have any contact with any schools in Alachua County.
Nobody INCLUDING the prosecutors considered the victims
What “victims?” The building he was going to shoot up? I didn’t know buildings counted as “victims” but I guess everybody and everything today is a “victim.”
Bizarre take, Steely D. The victims are the kids, parents, and school employees who have to go to that building during the time this guy was out on the streets, and the ones that will be there in 3 years when this psycho gets out of jail.
You think someone as unhinged as Daniel can be trusted?
Well I like to look at all sides of an issue and then stir up discussion so if that is bizarre so be it.
I agree that he is unhinged and can’t be trusted.
But the guy clearly said he’d “attack” the school when there were no children there.
“I will be going on a Saturday or a Sunday when no children are there, with the intention of getting off as many NATO .556 rounds from my AR-15 at the building.”
Really, really disappointed with Judge Sieg’s mishandling of this case–it’s like he can’t wait to put this absolute psychopath back out on the street. He should have stayed retired.
First he “accidentally” releases this guy due to what can only be described as gross judicial incompetence, then he berates the character witnesses for not thinking of the kids before handing out the absolute minimum, ticky-tack 3 year sentence when even our woke prosecutorial office wanted 15 years.
Then he had the absolute gall to say he hoped that 3 years would deter other criminals. Talk about out of touch. This guy probably tips 15 cents on his early bird special.
Judge Sieg is the same judge that sentenced a criminal to 10 years for causing the death of GPD Lt. Corey Dahlem by driving down a closed road and striking the officer with his truck. The max penalty was 30 years, the family asked for 28, and Sieg gave him 10.
Shame on Judge Kreider as well for not having the courage and sense of duty to attend the sentencing hearing in the first place. It’s because of him that Judge Sieg was assigned to this case.
Let’s see how Sheriff Emory Gainey’s white granddaughters case plays out. She’s probably already served her jail time. 2 hours.
What happened there? Was she arrested for something? Wow.
There is quite a difference in the two cases. She messaged five friends individually just the words. He is in a video with clear possession of the firearms posted to the public. She is a young, high school girl who made a stupid decision, this man is 32 years old and should most certainly know better at that point. I don’t think we should treat every case as the same when the circumstances change on a case by case basis.
Ok you a knowledge that Sheriff Gainey’s white granddaughter was arrested(not sure that race matters) for threatening a mass shooting. I will be one to point out that she was arrested by ASO. Sheriff Gainey did not interfere with the process and she was arrested like anyone else under the similar circumstances. That shows his integrity and willingness to hold everyone accountable for their actions. There is a big difference in the cases since there was no gun in a video or huge mental defect presented by Dominguez. And let’s not forget his own family’s interference in this process or that fact that his father was storing guns for him. I think you missed the end zone.
So Sherriff Gainey’s granddaughter just did the same thing…will she get 3 years?!?! I certainly hope not. This guy said what he was doing was for some theatrical purpose, and he was probably just wanting some attention. If he is going to be sentenced to 3 years it should be in a mental institution like Vista- not the penitentiary. Let’s judge people by what they do, not by what they fantasize about doing or think about doing.
This guy is a walking red flag. His Facebook page is still up with the links to various incoherent manifestos and creepy art he has produced. Even his circle of ultraliberal friends called the cops on him a few years ago because they were really concerned about his behavior and knew he had quite a stash of firearms.
Dude quit his job at FSU, came back to Gainesville, and then made this threat. He is completely unhinged and spiraling to a bad ending. I agree that he belongs in a mental institution, except it should be for decades not just 3 years.
Saying let’s judge people only by what actually do is not a reasonable argument. Threatening, harassing, and terrorizing people are crimes even if the victims aren’t physically harmed.
Did the young man have any violent history? He threatened to damage a school, first ensuring there were no kids present, and then do a “suicide by cop” routine. He also said that this was performance art. HMN. Doesn’t seem like a genuine threat to me, rather more like a cry for help. Doubt he’ll get help in prison, though.
This guy should have gotten every bit of 15 years, but at least he’s got 10 years of probation when he gets out that he’ll never successfully complete. These people nowadays are such idiots and social media driven fools that they not only make threats but record themselfs doing it for views AND then want to waste the taxpayers money by taking it to trial like they were’nt in the wrong and the state doesn’t have any proof. Enjoy your 3 year stay scumbag!
😂😂😂😂 SHOULDVE GAVE THAT THUG LIFE!!!! HE DOESNT DESERVE TO SEE THE LIGHT AGAIN!!!! DONT DROP THE SHOP!!😂😭😂😭😂😭😂😭
I see your command of English has not improved. “SHOUDVE GAVE?”
Are you mad?? I was rushing while writing that! Seems as if you know this guy!! ITS SOOO MUCH MISSPELLING ON HERE AND YOU ONLY NOTICED MY COMMENT!!! 😂😂😂 JUST TELL BUDDY NOT TO DROP THAT 🧼!! I KNOW A FEW GUYS IN PRISON ILL MAKE SURE THEY LOOK OUT FOR HIM!!!😬😬😬😬
I’m sure you know from experience.
I wasn’t commenting on your spelling, I was commenting on your grammar but I realize that really isn’t my place and I do apologize. God bless.
“It’s so much misspelling?” Once again, incorrect grammar. It should be there is so much misspelling.
That you “know a few guys in prison” is not in doubt.
Let’s hope this is a teachable 3 long years ⏳⌛️💩
“I will be going on a Saturday or a Sunday when no children are there, with the intention of getting off as many NATO .556 rounds from my AR-15 at the building.”
So, he threatened a building? Well, off to prison with him!
Bye Bye
They need to protect the public from these crazy criminal nut jobs…it’s a good verdict. Good work locking this crazy F’r up! Artwork my ass!
SHERIFF GAINEY IS AN HONORABLE CITIZEN AND PUB LIC SERVANT, SHERIFF AND FAMILY MAN. WHAT FATHER, GRANDFATHER, UNCLE, OR WHATEVER THE RELATIONSHIP WOUND NOT DO AS MUCH AS HE COULD TO HELP OUT A FAMILY MEMBER ON HER FIRST OFFENSE. THE FACT IS LOOK AT WHAT THE PREVIOUS SHERIFF HAS DONE TO KEEP HIS CRIMINAL KID OUT OF JAIL!