A 19-year-old man was arrested following a reported armed disturbance early Saturday at a Circle K gas station in the 4300 block of SE Hawthorne Road.
According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) release sent Monday, deputies responded to the gas station during the early morning hours of Oct. 3 after receiving a report of an armed disturbance. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with a gas station employee who said several individuals had entered the store.
The employee told deputies that one of the individuals, later identified as James McCray, was carrying a firearm that was visible in his waistband.
According to the employee, the group was asked to leave, which led to a verbal altercation. Before leaving the property, McCray allegedly removed the firearm, pointed it at the employee and threatened to kill them.
The group then left the area on foot, traveling north from the gas station.
Deputies canvassed the surrounding area, including nearby apartment complexes, and reviewed available security camera footage.
Investigators later located several individuals matching descriptions provided by the employee in the area of the 4100 block of SE 10th Place. Deputies made contact with the group, including McCray.
Although no firearms were found on the individuals at the time of contact, investigators confirmed McCray was the individual identified by the employee.
Investigators also determined that the individuals had entered a nearby apartment following the reported incident. Detectives and crime scene investigators obtained and executed a search warrant at the apartment.
Three handguns were found inside, including one firearm that had been reported stolen by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in 2020.
McCray was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.