BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – A 22-year-old man was arrested over the weekend after deputies with the Broward Sheriff’s Office said he pointed a gun at multiple victims — including a few children — in Broward County.
Deputies said they were dispatched to a home in the 2600 block of Northwest 14th Street in unincorporated Broward County, in reference to a shooting call on Saturday.
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Authorities said they were initially advised that a man, who they later identified as John Smile Smith, of Lauderhill, was driving a red vehicle when he stopped in front of the 911 caller’s front yard and fired at the victim’s home.
Investigators said Smith and the passenger in his vehicle fled the scene before deputies arrived.
Deputies said the person who called 911 later told them that no gunshots were fired at the home, but claimed Smith took out a gun and pointed it at multiple people.
A witness told authorities that she and a known acquaintance, Danica Jean Gilles, who claimed to be Smith’s girlfriend, initiated the incident, authorities said.
The woman was outside of the residence when deputies said Gilles exited her home to see Smith.
Shortly after, the women had briefly exchanged words and approached each other as if they were going to fight, at which time Smith grabbed the other woman by the throat, according to the report.
After witnessing the incident from inside the home, the victim’s cousin ran outside and began fighting Smith in an attempt to defend her, the report stated.
Authorities said the altercation led to a “melee between multiple parties” until Smith was able to break free and return to the driver’s side of his vehicle, where he then pulled out a gun and attempted to load it.
Shortly after, deputies said Smith made his way toward the front of the home while pointing a gun in the same direction.
At that time, investigators said eight people were standing in the direction of where Smith was holding the gun.
Of the eight people, five of them were juveniles, with one being as young as 1 1/2, the report stated.
In fear for their lives, deputies said all parties ran into the home in search of cover.
Authorities said the victim’s cousin, who initially confronted Smith, had interfered again by trying to wrestle the gun away from him.
Investigators confirmed the fight was eventually broken up by the passenger in Smith’s vehicle who later fled the scene.
Detectives said a single photo of Smith was shown to the victims at the scene without any prior information given and all of them identified him as the suspect.
Deputies said after conducting a brief traffic stop on Smith, they took him into custody.
A search of Smith’s vehicle revealed a Glock 17 with an extended magazine, carrying 34 9 mm rounds, according to investigators.
Deputies said the gun was found wedged in between the driver’s seat and center console of Smith’s vehicle and was consistent with the witnesses’ statements.
According to jail records, Smith is facing eight counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
As of Wednesday, he was being held at the Broward Mail Jail, where his bond information is unknown at this time.