Florida football player Andre Debose was pushed into a window while trying to break up a fight Saturday night. During the brawl, a man was arrested after he used his rifle to fire several rounds into the SUV of the man who pushed Debose.
Officers arrested 23-year-old John Mark Honeycutt on charges of aggravated assault, according to an arrest report.
Gainesville Police originally misreported Debose as the aggressor in the incident, but the most recent official account states the following: At about 6:30 p.m., officers responded to reports of an argument among people armed with a handgun and rifle. Earlier that evening, Honeycutt was eating at his house with Debose and two other people, GPD spokesman Officer Ben Tobias said. His house is located in the 500 block of Northwest 36th Street, according to an arrest report.
An argument ensued, and a man pushed Debose into a window, shattering the glass, Tobias said. Debose was not injured.
The man and Honeycutt began fighting, and Honeycutt threatened to kill him, according to the report. Tobias said Honeycutt got a handgun, but the man grabbed the gun and fired into the ground outside.
Honeycutt then took a rifle and fired several rounds into the SUV, Tobias said.
When officers arrived, they saw an SUV with several bullet holes parked in front of Honeycutt’s house.
Officers booked Honeycutt into the Alachua County Jail at about 1:50 a.m. He was released at 2:53 p.m. Sunday after meeting a $2,000 bond.
GPD initially incorrectly reported Debose pushed a victim through a window. Tobias announced the mistake in a statement via Facebook, apologizing for the error while commending Debose for his actions.
“I am extremely proud that (Debose) intervened in this incident and likely prevented anyone from being injured or killed,” Tobias wrote.
The NCAA granted Debose a sixth year of eligibility on Thursday after he applied for a medical hardship waiver. The wide receiver missed the 2013 season after he suffered a torn ACL. Debose also missed his freshman season in 2009 due to a knee biceps femoris graft for a previous injury. In the three seasons he has played at Florida, wide receiver Debose recorded 29 receptions for 543 yards.
[Staff writer Adam Lichtenstein contributed reporting. A version of this story ran on page 1 on 3/17/2014 under the headline "Police confirm Andre Debose broke up Saturday fight"]
