Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Desmond Delante Horton, 24, of Brandon, was arrested early Saturday after authorities said he fired a handgun in the parking lot of a Days Inn near Newberry Road and Interstate 75.
Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at approximately 1:30 a.m. Nov. 1 following a report of a man firing a weapon at the Days Inn, located at 920 NW 69th Terrace. The caller described the suspect as a Black male.
According to the arrest report, a deputy saw Horton exit his motel room. Horton allegedly acknowledged that he had fired the gun.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Horton reportedly told deputies he fired toward several medical buildings across the street because he was frustrated after being unable to locate his phone. He also mentioned becoming upset when his girlfriend received a phone call from another man, but characterized that incident as a minor argument and denied it was the reason he discharged the weapon. Horton said his girlfriend was not near him when the shots were fired.
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Deputies reportedly found a 9mm shell casing near Horton’s vehicle and identified his weapon as a 9mm Taurus GX4.
The caller told authorities she witnessed Horton firing in the motel parking lot and confirmed that the shots were directed toward buildings east of the property.
Horton was charged with shooting a missile into buildings. His criminal history was not available because the records are not posted on weekends. However, the deputy reported that Horton has no felony convictions. Judge Adam Lee set bail at $100,000.
Arrest stories are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges cited come from arrest reports and/or court records and represent allegations only. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
