GNV man receives 20 years for shooting at police

A Gainesville man who shot at police officers received a 20-year mandatory sentence on Monday for shooting at officers following an October 2021 cross-town chase.

According to a State Attorney’s Office press release, D’armani Demetrius Devon Ward, 21, entered a plea deal. Eighth Circuit Court Judge William E. Davis sentenced Ward to 20 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. He will be released on Oct. 4, 2041.

The Oct. 6, 2021, incident started when Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers

responded to a domestic disturbance call at the Museum Walk Apartments where they discovered Ward pointed a gun at his girlfriend. When they arrived, Ward fled and officers pursued him across town, where he barricaded himself in his mother’s house in the Cedar Grove neighborhood. 

After a few hours, Ward attempted to exit the house and shot toward the officers. The officers returned fire and Ward was injured and transported to a hospital.