A 38-year-old man was arrested less than a week after he allegedly fired a stolen gun into a downtown Orlando building while intoxicated.
On Thursday, July 2, Orlando Police Department officers responded to 1 South Orange Avenue in reference to a gunshot being fired in the area, according to a media release from the agency.
A preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that a male suspect – later identified as Justice S. Fletcher – had placed a firearm into a trash receptacle.
When Fletcher allegedly returned to retrieve the firearm minutes later, it accidentally discharged and struck a nearby building.
OPD stated that there were no injuries reported, adding that no one was threatened during the incident.
While searching a downtown parking garage, officers located Fletcher, but he allegedly fled from them before he could be taken into custody. According to OPD, the firearm was recovered nearby, and investigators later determined that it was stolen.
As officers investigated the incident, they reportedly discovered that Fletcher was “intoxicated throughout the evening,” and “numerous patrons” allegedly saw him “dropping a firearm multiple times” in the downtown area.
However, OPD did not receive any 911 calls from witnesses regarding Fletcher’s alleged “dangerous behavior,” according to the agency.
Detectives reviewed video surveillance footage, collected unspecified evidence, and followed several leads. They also determined that officers had issued Fletcher a trespass warning and directed him to leave the Grand Bohemian Hotel earlier that same evening, which led to him being identified as the suspect in this case, according to OPD.
On Monday, July 6, Fletcher was arrested by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office on an outstanding OPD warrant, as well as unrelated local charges.
Fletcher is facing a slew of charges from the Orlando Police Department, including aggravated assault with a firearm, shooting into a public building, grand theft, and discharging a firearm on public property. Additionally, he has been charged with using a firearm while under the influence of alcoholic beverages, improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon or firearm, resisting an officer without violence, and tampering with evidence.
In addition to the OPD warrants, Fletcher was charged with battery and possession of a controlled substance by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
No further details were provided by Orlando police as the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Following Fletcher’s arrest, OPD released the following statement:
“The Orlando Police Department stresses the importance of immediately notifying law enforcement when witnessing dangerous behavior involving firearms. Prompt reporting can help prevent injuries and protect our community. OPD takes incidents like this seriously and encourages anyone who observes suspicious or dangerous activity to call 911.”