Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Deshawn Lamar Russ, 35, was taken into custody yesterday and charged with discharging a firearm inside a vehicle and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.
The responding officer from the Gainesville Police Department stated that around 7:45 p.m. on August 3, Russ was in a car driven by the victim when he threatened to kill the victim before taking his own life. At that moment, Russ was reportedly “actively holding a firearm.” He allegedly fired a shot in front of the victim’s face, resulting in a bullet hole in the front driver’s side window.
After being read his Miranda rights, Russ allegedly provided multiple versions of events. Initially, he claimed the victim was driving before the incident and later said he had driven part of the time. At first, he denied any knowledge of a gun or gunshot, but later claimed he heard a noise like a firecracker after exiting the car, which he didn’t think much of. He also reportedly stated at one point that he was inside the car when the gun was discharged and later admitted knowing there was a gun in the car but insisted it wasn’t his.
Russ further claimed that the victim had retrieved the firearm from under her seat and was brandishing it, suggesting he might have grabbed it, leading to its discharge.
According to two witnesses, after the car reached its destination, Russ said, “I did not mean to do it. It was an accident,” and “I did not mean to fire the gun.” He was also reportedly heard discussing accidentally discharging the gun.
A search during the arrest reportedly recovered a bullet in Russ’s pocket. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Russ has been charged with domestic aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. He has nine felony convictions (non-violent) and two misdemeanor convictions (non-violent); he has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in June 2024. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $900,000, with a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. if he is released.
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.
