Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the early hours today, authorities apprehended Brian Steven Reichmann, 21, following allegations that he brandished a gun while under the influence of alcohol in a downtown area, subsequently evading law enforcement.
At approximately 1:47 a.m. on May 6, an officer from the Gainesville Police Department observed Reichmann and two companions engaging in altercations in the 100 block of West University Avenue. Notably, one of Reichmann’s associates was seen striking a passing vehicle outside the State Attorney’s Office parking lot. The officer intervened in the dispute involving Reichmann, his acquaintances, and a witness accompanying the vehicle’s owner.
According to the witness, Reichmann allegedly threatened her with a firearm amid the confrontation.
When the officer approached, Reichmann reportedly attempted to distance himself, though his friends urged him to return. Maintaining a barrier between himself and the officer with a low wall, the officer spotted a handgun in Reichmann’s waistband. As Reichmann appeared to reach for the weapon, the officer drew his gun and instructed him not to do so.
Reichmann used the distraction of an assembling crowd to flee north through the Wells Fargo parking garage. Following a brief chase, officers apprehended him in the 300 block of North Main Street.
A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a 9mm handgun that was loaded with hollowpoint rounds.
A second witness told the officer that she saw Reichmann pull a gun from his waistband and flash a “gunlight” at the first witness, causing her to fear for the first witness’s safety. At least one other person told the officer they ran for cover when they saw the gun.
Post Miranda, Reichmann reportedly said he didn’t do anything wrong and was only protecting “his family” from the other people at the scene, but he did not say anything about other people threatening him with weapons.
Reichmann reportedly admitted to pointing his “spotlight” at people, and when asked to clarify, he said it was an “Olight,” mounted to his gun. Reichmann reportedly admitted that he had been drinking and was intoxicated. He said he ran because he was afraid when he saw the officer approaching.
Reichmann was transported to an emergency room because he suffered superficial injuries after tripping during the foot chase, but he reportedly declined treatment.
The officer reported that the first witness left the scene and did not want to press charges of aggravated assault, once Reichmann was taken into custody. Reichmann’s friends were also reportedly gone by the time the officer returned to the original area.
Reichmann has been charged with improper exhibition of a firearm, resisting an officer without violence, using a firearm under the influence of alcohol, and disorderly conduct. He has no criminal history, and Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $8,000 and ordered him to have no weapons and refrain from consuming alcohol or drugs.
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.
