Police recover stolen pistol from backpack during Midtown McDonald's arrest

Kamorion Daeshon Baker, 18, of Orlando, was arrested at 1 a.m. on November 1 after police recovered a loaded .380 pistol from his backpack near a McDonald’s in Gainesville. The weapon had been reported stolen in Alachua County. Baker faces charges of grand theft of a firearm and resisting an officer without violence.

The incident began when a caller told dispatch that a black male had pointed a gun at another person inside the restaurant at 1206 West University Avenue before fleeing north on NW 12th Street. A Gainesville Police Department officer responded to the scene and initially searched for the suspect on foot. He did not find anyone matching the description, so he returned to his patrol vehicle parked near the restaurant.

As the officer exited his car, he spotted Baker carrying a black backpack. The officer stated he heard Baker discussing a gun. Two witnesses at the scene pointed at Baker and identified him as the person involved in the report. Baker began running north on NW 12th Street. The officer pursued on foot, drawing his firearm because the initial caller had mentioned a gun. He verbally identified himself and ordered Baker to stop.

Baker ran into the McDonald’s parking lot and dropped his backpack on the ground. He lay down on the pavement and was taken into custody. An unidentified woman attempted to retrieve the backpack, but the officer secured it and handed it to a colleague. After placing Baker in his patrol car, the officer returned to the restaurant to manage a gathering crowd and retrieve the bag. A search of the backpack yielded an iPhone, the loaded .380 pistol, and a cloth case containing extra ammunition. A second iPhone was found on Baker’s person.

After being read his rights, Baker told police he was not wearing a backpack. The arresting officer noted in the report that Baker was on pre-trial release for a felony case in Orange County. His full criminal history was unavailable because weekend court records are not posted. Judge Adam Lee set bail at $75,000.

The charges are based on law enforcement reports and court records. They are accusations, and Baker is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.