Micanopy Man Charged With Attempted Homicide

MICANOPY ‒ An 81-year-old Micanopy man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly firing a revolver during a dispute with family members of his deceased ex-wife and continuing to shoot at their vehicle as they fled the property, according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

John Morgan Webb was arrested around 12:50 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, following an incident that began when three relatives of his ex-wife arrived at a residence to clean and prepare it for sale. Webb and his ex-wife divorced in 1998, but he was reportedly at the home when the group arrived.

One of the individuals began recording video upon entering the property after spotting Webb’s vehicle in the driveway. Inside the house, the group encountered Webb in the living room and informed him he was not supposed to be there. According to the arrest report, Webb allegedly pulled a revolver from his front pocket and fired a shot into the ceiling. As the group turned to flee, Webb reportedly said, “No, don’t move, you got to die first.”

The victims ran to their vehicle and began backing down the driveway. At that point, deputies say Webb exited the home and began firing at the vehicle. Investigators reported that the car was struck four times, including one shot that entered through the front grille and disabled the engine. The vehicle came to a stop in the middle of Southeast County Road 234.

Webb allegedly left the scene but was later stopped and detained by deputies.

After being read his Miranda rights, Webb reportedly told deputies, “They harassed me. They came in threatening me and I fired a shot in the air, then fired some into the radiator of their car.”

Deputies cited video evidence and witness statements indicating the encounter was non-confrontational when Webb allegedly brandished and discharged his firearm. The report also concluded that Webb’s actions—firing at an occupied vehicle as it was retreating—constituted an intentional and dangerous act that could have resulted in death.

Webb has been charged with three counts of attempted homicide and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Authorities noted that he has no prior criminal convictions.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered Webb to be held without bail, pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to keep him in custody until trial.

The case remains under investigation.

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