Orlando police say a man was arrested after investigators said he accidentally fired a stolen gun in downtown Orlando, striking a building but injuring no one.Officers responded July 2 to a report of a gunshot near 1 South Orange Ave. Investigators said an unidentified person placed a firearm in a trash can, returned minutes later to retrieve it and accidentally discharged it.No injuries were reported, and police said no one was threatened.The Orlando Police Department’s Crime Center later located the person in a downtown parking garage, where officers tried to make contact, police said. The person fled, but the firearm was later recovered nearby and entered into evidence. Investigators determined the gun had been stolen.Detectives said the suspect was intoxicated throughout the evening and was seen dropping a firearm multiple times in the presence of numerous people downtown. Police said they did not receive any 911 calls from witnesses.During the investigation, detectives reviewed surveillance video, collected evidence and followed leads. They also learned officers had contacted the same person earlier that evening at the Grand Bohemian Hotel, where he was issued a trespass warning and told to leave. Police said information from that encounter and the later investigation helped detectives identify the suspect as Justice S. Fletcher.Fletcher was arrested July 6 by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office on unrelated charges and an outstanding Orlando police warrant.He faces Orlando police charges of aggravated assault with a firearm, shooting into a public building, grand theft, discharging a firearm on public property, 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.He has pending criminal charges with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for battery and a controlled substance offense.Christian Bussiere is an assignment editor and writer at WESH.
Orlando police say a man was arrested after investigators said he accidentally fired a stolen gun in downtown Orlando, striking a building but injuring no one.
Officers responded July 2 to a report of a gunshot near 1 South Orange Ave. Investigators said an unidentified person placed a firearm in a trash can, returned minutes later to retrieve it and accidentally discharged it.
No injuries were reported, and police said no one was threatened.
The Orlando Police Department’s Crime Center later located the person in a downtown parking garage, where officers tried to make contact, police said. The person fled, but the firearm was later recovered nearby and entered into evidence. Investigators determined the gun had been stolen.
Detectives said the suspect was intoxicated throughout the evening and was seen dropping a firearm multiple times in the presence of numerous people downtown. Police said they did not receive any 911 calls from witnesses.
During the investigation, detectives reviewed surveillance video, collected evidence and followed leads. They also learned officers had contacted the same person earlier that evening at the Grand Bohemian Hotel, where he was issued a trespass warning and told to leave. Police said information from that encounter and the later investigation helped detectives identify the suspect as Justice S. Fletcher.
Fletcher was arrested July 6 by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office on unrelated charges and an outstanding Orlando police warrant.
He faces Orlando police charges of aggravated assault with a firearm, shooting into a public building, grand theft, discharging a firearm on public property, 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.
He has pending criminal charges with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for battery and a controlled substance offense.
Christian Bussiere is an assignment editor and writer at WESH.