Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On May 2, Drayon Drevell Duncan, 21, was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder. He was identified as the alleged shooter in an incident at Lewis Place Apartments on September 29, 2024.

Officers from the Gainesville Police Department responded to a call at Lewis Place Apartments (4121 NE 15th Street) around 11:15 p.m. on September 29, 2024. Reports indicated that multiple gunshots had been fired. The officers discovered numerous spent shell casings in .223 and 9mm calibers along NE 15th Street, adjacent to Lewis Place. Several bullets had struck various occupied apartments, including the apartment of the two intended victims. Fortunately, no one was hit by gunfire, although one victim was taking out the trash during the shooting.

A search warrant revealed text and voice communications indicating Duncan and the victims had been in contact both before and after the incident. Duncan had allegedly threatened one of the victims, claiming he possessed a firearm with a “switch” enabling it to fire automatically. Investigators reportedly found several videos from fall 2024 showing Duncan with pistols and a rifle equipped with such switches.

On the night of the shooting, one of the victims reportedly told Duncan he was at Lewis Place, and Duncan reportedly sent messages to the victims about five minutes after the shooting, taunting them. Over the next few days, Duncan reportedly stated clearly to the victims that he was responsible for shooting at them from a vehicle; the messages also correctly identified the weapons used in the incident (a “big draco” rifle and “switches”).

Duncan is reportedly a self-proclaimed member of the “Village Green” gang, and the messages between Duncan and the victims reportedly included comments made by one of the victims that “openly disrespected numerous dead gang members.” The victims reportedly claim association with “The South,” which is a rival to the “Village Green” gang.

Duncan has been charged with two counts of premeditated attempted homicide, firing a weapon into a building, firing a weapon from a vehicle, and firing a machine gun. He has no criminal history.

Duncan is being held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial.

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.