Fireworks stand employee charged with two counts of attempted murder after firing gun outside fireworks tent

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kevin Anthony Jordan, 43, was arrested last night after allegedly firing a gun during a dispute with two people outside a fireworks stand on NW 13th Street.

Late Saturday evening, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to the fireworks stand at 2826 NW 13th Street, where the female victim said she had been walking through the parking lot near the fireworks tent when Jordan approached her. She said she never approached Jordan, but he kept telling her to stay away from the tent. She said the male victim started arguing with Jordan because Jordan was disrespecting her, and then Jordan got up close to her face and the male victim punched Jordan to make him back off.

The female victim said Jordan pointed a handgun at them, so she ducked down and ran away. She said she heard a gunshot and looked back to check on the male victim before running away.

The officer reported that a shell casing was found in the area where the victims said the shooting occurred.

The male victim reportedly told the officer that he was at Wawa, on the other side of the street, when he noticed the female victim had left. He said he saw her walking across the street and followed her; he said they were heading back toward the nearby tent where they sleep because they are homeless.

The male victim said he saw the female victim talking to Jordan and that he did not appreciate the way Jordan was speaking to her, so he intervened; he said Jordan “flinched at” him, so he punched him. The male victim said that after he punched Jordan, Jordan pointed a handgun at them, and they ran. He said he moved to the side to avoid being hit by the bullet before he ran.

The officer reported that when he arrived, he saw Jordan getting out of a vehicle and walking toward the fireworks tent. He said he asked Jordan about the handgun, and Jordan said it was in the vehicle and gave consent to search the vehicle. The officer reported finding a handgun with a round in the chamber and bullets that matched the casing that was found in the parking lot.

Post Miranda, Jordan reportedly said he was working at the fireworks stand and stopped the male victim to talk about an earlier incident in which the male victim had argued with Jordan’s wife. He said he was having a casual conversation with the male victim before the female victim interrupted the conversation; he said he turned around to speak with the female victim, who was “yelling and causing a scene.” He said the male victim hit him in the back when he turned to speak with the female victim, and that “stunned” him. He said he didn’t know what their intentions were, so he took out his gun and shot into the air to scare them away. He said he never pointed a gun at the two victims.

Jordan has eight misdemeanor convictions (none violent). Judge Mark Moseley set bail at $100,000.

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.

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