GPD Officers Arrest Man for Gun Threat in Downtown Gainesville

Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers arrested Melvin Miller, 38, Sunday night and charged him with aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony and resisting an officer without violence. 

According to the arrest report, Miller got into an argument with a security guard at the Palomino bar in downtown Gainesville. 

During the argument, Miller allegedly "displayed a black firearm and held it down at his side," the arrest report states.

According to the arrest report, the security guard felt threatened by Miller, causing him to draw his own firearm in self-defense. 

GPD Ofc. Kevin Jin reported, "I observed [Miller] on the southeast corner of the intersection of SE 1st Ave and SE 1st St. [Miller] matched the description of the armed suspect provided to law enforcement. I then challenged [Miller] at rifle-point and issued verbal commands to get on the ground. [Miller] ignored my commands to get on the ground and fled southbound on the sidewalk. [Miller] was then also challenged by Ofc. Graham at gunpoint. [Miller] was given multiple commands to get on the ground before eventually complying."

During his police interview, Miller reportedly admitted to “getting into some type of disturbance with the victim” but denied having a gun. 

Jin reportedly found a 9 mm round in Miller’s vehicle, but police surveyed the area and did not locate a firearm. 

Judge Menshon Rawls set Miller’s bond at $50,000, however, he is not eligible for release pending a pretrial detention motion by the State Attorney’s Office.