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GAINESVILLE – An 18-year-old Newberry man has been arrested and charged under Florida’s rioting statute for his alleged role in a Feb. 14 assault at the Oaks Mall that ended with a gunshot fired inside a jewelry store.

Vontrell Deshune Scott II was arrested Feb. 26 after a warrant was issued Feb. 19, according to the Gainesville Police Department (GPD). Authorities allege Scott participated in a group attack on a man shopping at Kay Jewelers, 6333 W. Newberry Road, resulting in multiple injuries and panic among shoppers.

Ra’jon Richard White, 19, was previously arrested in connection with the incident. A sworn complaint has been filed against Kellis Marquis Kennedy, 19, but he had not been arrested as of the latest court filings.

According to a GPD report, the incident occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. when the victim and a female companion were inside Kay Jewelers. Three males allegedly surrounded the victim, preventing him from leaving.

Police allege White began punching the victim and that Scott and Kennedy also struck him repeatedly while standing near the jewelry counter. A witness who attempted to intervene was reportedly pushed aside by Kennedy.

The victim attempted to flee but fell, according to the report. Investigators allege Scott jumped and stomped on the victim while he was on the ground.

While on the ground and being kicked, the victim pulled a pistol from his waistband and fired one shot in what police described as self-defense.

Employees ran behind counters for cover as the victim and the three suspects fled the store and exited the mall. Customers reportedly locked themselves inside nearby department stores until law enforcement arrived.

The responding officer wrote that the victim, the witness and other mall patrons were injured. Among those hurt was an elderly woman who was reportedly trampled and received medical treatment at the scene. The officer stated that numerous people were endangered by the suspects’ actions.

Scott has been charged with battery and rioting.

Under Florida law, a person commits rioting if they willfully participate in a violent public disturbance involving three or more people who share a common intent to assist one another in violent and disorderly conduct, resulting in injury, property damage or imminent danger of either.

Police allege Scott acted in concert with White and Kennedy during the attack. In his report, the officer wrote that the three suspects “have been known to associate themselves with the criminal gang ‘EBK’” in southwest Gainesville.

White was previously arrested. As of the most recent filings, a warrant for Kennedy had not yet been entered into the court system.

Court records show Scott has a juvenile felony conviction from 2024 but no adult criminal history.

Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $750,000, the amount specified in the arrest warrant signed by Judge Robert Groeb. As conditions of release, Scott was ordered not to possess firearms, to stay away from the Oaks Mall and to have no contact with the other two suspects.

The case remains pending.

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Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com

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