Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Eighteen-year-old Antwon Kenshae Towns was taken into custody yesterday on two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by an adjudicated delinquent. The latest arrest comes after Towns was arrested in July in connection with an alleged firearm incident at the MLK Jr. Multipurpose Center; he was later released from jail after posting $100,000 bail.
According to the Gainesville Police Department, officers were called to the MLK Jr. Multipurpose Center at 1100 NE 14th Street at about 3:51 p.m. on July 7. The victim told police she and her family had just arrived at the park when she saw Towns approaching with a group of males.
The victim reported that she started recording video during the encounter. She said Towns lifted his shirt, revealing a black handgun tucked into his waistband, and then threatened her, leaving her afraid for her life. She also told officers that Towns walked behind the MLK Center building and returned shortly afterward without the firearm.
A Gainesville Police K-9 team later searched the area behind the building and reportedly recovered two guns: a black Taurus G2C and a “distinct beige/brown” Glock 48 9mm with black sights.
Towns was arrested after that incident and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and unlawfully carrying a concealed firearm.
Following the July arrest, a detective continued investigating Towns and reportedly located “numerous” photos and videos showing him with different firearms. In one video dated July 1, Towns allegedly displayed a beige/brown Glock pistol and pointed it toward the camera. Investigators said another video from July 6 appeared to show Towns holding and pointing the same beige/brown Glock. The detective noted that the weapon in the videos appeared to match the Glock recovered at the MLK Jr. Multipurpose Center on July 7.
On September 3, Gainesville Police officers served a search warrant at Towns’ residence and reportedly found a single bullet inside a dresser drawer in his bedroom.
On the same day, a detective showed Towns the video from July 6. Post Miranda, Towns reportedly admitted to possessing the Glock pistol and creating the video earlier this year. He denied ownership of the bullet. When he was asked how he obtained the Glock pistol, he said it belonged to a friend.
The arrest report also notes that Towns is confirmed to be a 4BL/1900 gang member.
Towns has been charged with two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by an adjudicated delinquent. He has juvenile convictions between 2023 and 2026 that include a felony conviction for robbery, and he is on pre-trial release following the July 7 arrest. Judge Joy Danne set bail at $50,000.
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.
