Reported by Staff
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – An 18-year-old Newberry resident, Vontrell Deshune Scott II, was taken into custody yesterday, facing charges under Florida’s riot laws for his alleged involvement in a February 14th incident at the Oaks Mall. This confrontation led to a gunshot being fired inside a jewelry store. Previously, Ra’jon Richard White, 19, was arrested in connection to the attack, and authorities have filed a sworn complaint against Kellis Marquis Kennedy, 19, though he remains at large.
According to a Gainesville Police Department officer, the incident unfolded around 2:45 p.m. on February 14. The victim, accompanied by a woman, was shopping at Kay Jewelers located in the Oaks Mall (6333 W. Newberry Road) when three men allegedly encircled him, blocking his escape. White is accused of initiating the assault by punching the victim, with Scott and Kennedy purportedly joining in the attack in front of the jewelry counter.
A bystander attempted to break up the altercation but was allegedly shoved aside by Kennedy. As the victim tried to escape, he reportedly fell, and Scott allegedly continued the assault by jumping on and stomping him. In an act of self-defense while being kicked on the ground, the victim drew a pistol from his waistband and discharged a single shot.
For more details on the victim’s subsequent arrest for illegally carrying a concealed firearm, click here.
During the chaos, store employees sought refuge behind counters, while the victim and the three suspects fled the mall. Shoppers locked themselves inside department stores until the police arrived. The report noted that several individuals, including the victim, a witness, and other mall-goers, sustained injuries. Among them was an elderly woman who was trampled and received immediate medical attention. The officer highlighted that the actions of the suspects endangered numerous people.
Florida’s rioting statute states, “A person commits a riot if he or she willfully participates in a violent public disturbance involving an assembly of three or more persons, acting with a common intent to assist each other in violent and disorderly conduct, resulting in: (a) Injury to another person; (b) Damage to property; or (c) Imminent danger of injury to another person or damage to property.”
The officer noted that the three suspects “have been known to associate themselves with the criminal gang ‘EBK’” in southwest Gainesville.
A warrant for Scott’s arrest was issued on February 19, and he was arrested yesterday. A warrant for Kennedy has not been filed in the court system yet.
Scott has been charged with battery and rioting. He has a juvenile felony conviction from 2024 but no adult criminal history. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $750,000, the amount specified by Judge Robert Groeb in the arrest warrant, and ordered him to possess no firearms, stay away from the Oaks Mall, and have no contact with the other two suspects.
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.
