Gainesville woman arrested for shooting boyfriend

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Autumn Jayne Brooks, 37, was arrested yesterday and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly shooting her boyfriend.

The victim told the Gainesville Police Department officer that Brooks pulled out a handgun during an argument and fired two or three shots around 9 a.m. on July 4 in the 3300 block of SW 23rd Street. He said she took his phone and got into her car, waving the gun around and yelling at him. He said when he saw the gun, he got into his own car and heard a “pop”; when he looked up, he saw Brooks with the gun in his hand. He said she drove away in her car, taking his phone.

A witness who lives near the couple said she heard an argument and then a car horn, followed by three “pops” that sounded like gunshots. She said she saw a white vehicle drive quickly away from the area.

A friend who arrived with Brooks allegedly said that Brooks and the victim argued and the victim pushed Brooks to the ground and took her keys. He said Brooks told him to get in her car and they drove away. He said he never saw Brooks with a gun.

The deputy reported that a 9mm cartridge case was found at the scene of the alleged shooting.

After granting the Miranda, Brooks allegedly said the victim asked her to meet him that morning, and when she arrived, the victim argued with her and tried to take her keys; she said he also took her cell phone and pushed her to the ground. She said her friend distracted the victim so she could get into her car and leave the area with her friend. She said the victim followed her and tried to run her off the road. She allegedly admitted she had the victim’s phone, but said she did not take it and it was in an unknown location. She said the victim took the cell phone from her. She allegedly said she owns a gun, but did not have a gun during the incident.

Brooks was later arrested by an Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy at the Save A Lot property in Archer.

Brooks has no criminal history, but assault and child abuse charges were dropped against her in 2008. Judge Jonathan Ramsey ordered her held without bail pending the hearing. The prosecution’s request to keep her in custody pending trial was denied.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are from the arrest report and/or court records and are merely allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.