By Staff Correspondent
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a startling incident, 74-year-old Jack Robert Carter found himself in police custody yesterday after allegedly threatening a family member with a firearm and discharging a warning shot outside his residence.
The event unfolded around 12:30 p.m. on November 4, when a Gainesville Police Department officer was dispatched to a home in the Duval neighborhood. According to Carter, a family member burst into his bedroom wielding two knives and threatened his life. Following this alleged threat, Carter claimed the family member retreated to the living room couch. Carter then reportedly retrieved his gun and walked outside, firing a shot into the air when the family member appeared at the open door. He noted that at that moment, he did not see the individual holding any knives.
When questioned about the knives, Carter described one as being small and the other large, adding that he was unfamiliar with them.
The family member, however, recounted a different version of events. He stated that an argument had ensued between him and Carter, during which Carter exited the house. As the family member approached the open door, he reportedly saw Carter raise the gun skyward and fire. He further alleged that Carter then aimed the weapon at him, leaving him in fear for his safety. He denied ever possessing a knife during the altercation.
After being read his Miranda rights, Carter allegedly admitted that he fired the shot as a warning when the family member approached the door, subsequently pointing the gun at him.
The officer reported that there was no evidence that the victim had threatened Carter with a knife, citing the fact that Carter acknowledged walking past the victim, who had allegedly threatened him with a knife, but he did not point the gun at him until he was outside, although the victim was still inside. The officer also noted that although the door was open, the victim would have had to step over a three-foot baby gate to move toward Carter.
A search of the area around the couch reportedly produced no knives, and a search of the victim reportedly produced no knives.
A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a pistol in Carter’s pocket.
Carter has been charged with aggravated domestic assault with a deadly weapon. He has one misdemeanor conviction, and Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him released on his own recognizance but ordered him to maintain a separate residence from the victim.
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.
