Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Zion Maurice Berroa, 23, was taken into custody yesterday, facing charges of aiming a firearm at birthday party guests, which included children.

A report from a Gainesville Police Department officer indicates that around 6:19 p.m. on July 19, Berroa was requested to leave a birthday party at Bouncers (3401 NW 34th Street) following an argument. Berroa purportedly made his way to his vehicle as several family members followed, advising him to simply depart.

It is alleged that Berroa retrieved a firearm from his car, described by witnesses as black with a green light, pointing it at “all the family members,” including three children. The victims reported that he was “wildly” aiming the weapon at them and even pointed it at a woman holding his own child. The victims expressed fear that he might open fire on them.

Berroa left in his vehicle and was reportedly stopped by a police officer; the officer reported that Berroa had a black Springfield XD9 with a green light that had been placed under an infant car seat in the back of the vehicle. The gun reportedly had one round in the magazine or chamber, and there was one round on the driver’s side floor.

Post Miranda, Berroa reportedly admitted to pointing the gun at all the people outside the birthday party because he “was in fear of his life and didn’t know what they were capable of doing to him.” He said he had bought the cake for the birthday party and felt he had a right to be there.

Berroa has been charged with seven counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, three counts of child abuse without great bodily harm, and improper exhibition of a firearm. He has no local adult criminal history; he was arrested in 2022 for domestic battery and child abuse without great bodily harm, but the charges were later dropped. Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.

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.