Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jonathan Manuel Galindo-Vega, 20, was arrested after he allegedly pointed a handgun at a panhandler and threatened to shoot him.
A Gainesville Police Department officer was called to the intersection of SW 35th Boulevard and SW Archer Road at approximately 10:08 p.m. October 10. The victim told police he had been panhandling in the median when a man in a vehicle stopped at the intersection began arguing with him. According to the report, the man pulled a pistol from the vehicle’s center console, pointed it at the victim and threatened to shoot him. The victim said he feared he could be shot intentionally or accidentally.
The victim gave police a detailed description of the driver and vehicle, including its license plate number. Officers stopped Galindo-Vega’s vehicle a short time later and reportedly found a loaded Glock in the center console.
After being read his Miranda rights, Galindo-Vega denied pointing the gun at anyone. He told police the victim had made several threatening remarks, including, “I’ve been to prison,” “I can fight,” and “I can shoot.” Galindo-Vega said he never saw the victim with a gun or other weapon. However, the officer noted that he did not roll up the vehicle’s window or drive away after the alleged statements were made.
Galindo-Vega reportedly said he was certain the victim never saw a firearm. He added that the victim might have assumed he had one because Galindo-Vega said, “Who doesn’t own a gun in Florida?” during the argument.
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During a second interview after receiving his Miranda warning, Galindo-Vega reportedly acknowledged taking the gun from the center console and “waving it to his lap.” He maintained that he never pointed it at the victim.
A passenger in Galindo-Vega’s vehicle reportedly told police that he argued with the panhandler after the panhandler called her names. She said Galindo-Vega pulled out the gun and placed it on the edge of the open window, facing toward the victim.
Galindo-Vega was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He has no local adult criminal history. Judge James Colaw set bail at $1,000.
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.
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