Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Melvin Eugene Miller, Jr., 38, was apprehended last night after reportedly brandishing a gun at the Palomino Pool Hall and evading police officers.
A Gainesville Police Department officer stated that around 9:48 p.m. on July 27, Miller engaged in a verbal dispute at the pool hall (19 SE 2nd Place) and subsequently unveiled a black firearm, holding it beside him. The bar’s security guard, who feared for his safety, also drew his gun in self-defense. When officers reached the scene, Miller allegedly moved away from them.
The officer reported discovering Miller at the southeast corner of the SE 1st Avenue and SE 1st Street intersection and instructed him at rifle-point to lie on the ground. Miller allegedly disregarded the commands and ran southward on the sidewalk, where he was confronted by another officer with a drawn gun. Following multiple orders to lie on the ground, Miller eventually complied.
Post Miranda, Miller reportedly admitted getting into “some type of disturbance” with the security guard and admitted returning to the scene and then contacting 911. He denied having a firearm.
Miller’s vehicle was found nearby, and he reportedly consented to a search; one 9mm bullet was found in the vehicle. Officers canvassed the area but did not find a firearm.
Miller has been charged with aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony and resisting an officer without violence. He has no criminal history; although the State Attorney’s Office filed notice of their intent to seek pre-trial detention without bail, Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $50,000 with a curfew between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
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.
