Report by Staff

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – An 18-year-old named Dante Kevin McKeever-Coleman has been handed a two-year state prison term under a youthful offender status. This follows his plea of nolo contendere to charges of shooting from a vehicle and illegal firearm possession as an adjudicated delinquent.

Initially arrested in December 2024 as a minor, McKeever-Coleman faced adult charges by June 2025. The original accusations involved two counts of attempted homicide. However, these were later revised to shooting from a vehicle and illegal firearm possession related to an incident on December 2, 2024. That day, Gainesville Police Department officers rushed to the 100 block of NW 10th Street after a flurry of reports about gunfire in the area.

Upon arrival, officers discovered 27 shell casings scattered between 100 and 200 NW 10th Street. Eyewitnesses recounted seeing two groups exchanging gunfire in the street. Bullets struck several vehicles, both occupied and unoccupied, as well as a residence with occupants inside. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The investigation revealed that McKeever-Coleman fired at two other individuals from a vehicle following a brief encounter at a gas station.

With a juvenile conviction dating back to 2023, McKeever-Coleman is barred from possessing a firearm until he turns 24.

On January 13, McKeever-Coleman opted for an open plea of nolo contendere to the charges, agreeing with prosecutors on a “youthful offender” sentence. Judge James Colaw subsequently imposed two concurrent two-year state prison sentences under Florida Statute 958.04. This will be followed by two years of community control, essentially house arrest, and an additional two years of probation.