Teenager Arrested for Armed Burglary and Possession of Firearm in Gainesville

By Staff Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a recent incident that has shocked the local community, 19-year-old Kelvin James Allen was arrested on February 20 and charged with armed burglary of a residence and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. This arrest comes after Allen was on probation following a plea deal for second-degree murder when he was charged with shooting two people at the age of 16.

The incident took place in the Pine Ridge neighborhood of Gainesville on January 29, 2024. A Gainesville Police Department officer responded to a reported burglary at a residence where the victim found Allen and a woman sitting on her couch. The victim, who had previously dated Allen, asked him to leave as she was no longer in a relationship with him. Allen became agitated, screamed at her, and followed her outside as she called 911. The victim believed Allen accessed the apartment through a window.

The woman who was with Allen stated that he had let her into the apartment through an unlocked door, claiming it belonged to his uncle. When Allen realized the victim was calling 911, he ran back inside, grabbed a firearm identified as a Draco, an AK-style pistol, and left the scene.

Following up on several local shooting incidents, Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies obtained a search warrant that revealed a video of Allen holding a firearm in the Pine Ridge neighborhood. A sworn complaint was filed, charging Allen with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. A warrant for his arrest for violation of probation was issued on February 2.

Allen has a history of criminal activity, having been charged as a juvenile with shooting two people in 2020. He faced multiple felony charges but entered a plea deal as a youthful offender, serving time in state prison and probation. However, he was arrested again in November 2022 for a domestic violence incident and is currently serving probation.

Judge Thomas Jaworski has ordered Allen to be held without bond due to his previous violations of probation and arrests while on probation. The State Attorney’s Office has filed a motion to keep him in jail pending trial, citing concerns about his likelihood to flee the county.

It is important to note that all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges against Allen are based on reports from law enforcement agencies and court records.