Metro | Criminal Justice

Pi Kappa Alpha executive arrested at house party

By Vanessa Norris | Mar. 8

After entering the fraternity, the officer reported about 100 people drinking, and bartenders served alcohol without verifying identification.

Protesters in opposition to the execution of Billy Leon Kearse gather outside the Florida State Prison. Kearse was executed at 6:02 p.m. in Raiford, Fla., Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Florida executes man for 1991 murder of Fort Pierce police officer

By Alexa Ryan | Mar. 4

Gainesville man arrested after carrying a gun on Santa Fe campus

By Vanessa Norris | Mar. 1

Gainesville Police Department sits at 545 NW 8th Ave. in Gainesville, Fla., Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.

Gainesville Police Department hasn’t signed 287(g) agreement with ICE

By Angelique Rodriguez | Feb. 28

Newly retired police dog, Ozzie, plays with a toy in his new backyard, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Melrose, Fla.

Alachua County K-9 retires after 8 years of service

By Vanessa Norris | Feb. 22

Gainesville man arrested for sexually explicit communication with minors

By Vanessa Norris | Feb. 19

More Metro | Criminal Justice

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man charged with carrying concealed weapon underage after Oaks Mall shooting

By Vanessa Norris | Feb. 15

A Gainesville man was charged with violating his probation and carrying a concealed weapon after police responded to reports of gunshots fired at the Oaks Mall Saturday evening.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Person detained following Oaks Mall shooting

By Avery Parker | Feb. 14

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Marsha Lyons bangs a metal cylinder with a hammer in opposition to the execution of Ronald Palmer Heath. Heath was executed at the Florida State Prison in Raiford on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Florida executes man for 1989 Gainesville murder

By Alexa Ryan | Feb. 11

The state of Florida executed 64-year-old Ronald Heath at 6:12 p.m. on Tuesday for the 1989 murder of a traveling salesman, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.

Gainesville's controversial new AI speed cameras sit on traffic lights in Butler Plaza, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Is Gainesville being watched? Flock Safety cameras ignite privacy concerns

By Maria Arruda | Feb. 10

The Gainesville City Commission’s approval of a contract with Flock in 2024 allowed law enforcement to enter an agreement with Flock, according to Art Forgey, the Gainesville Police Department public information officer.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

High school custodian charged with carrying two firearms on UF campus

By Vanessa Norris | Feb. 9

An Alachua County Public Schools employee was arrested after carrying two firearms on UF campus Sunday night.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville man arrested after throwing soda, mooning teenagers outside McDonalds

By Vanessa Norris | Feb. 8

Videos taken by the teenagers show Heath smacking his buttocks and rubbing his left butt cheek in front of them.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville woman charged with killing 7-month-old daughter

By Bailey Diem | Jan. 15

A Gainesville woman was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with murder after allegedly drowning her 7-month-old.

The sun sets over Florida State Prison in Raiford, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

‘A window to the outside’: 3 death row pen pals reflect on their relationships with inmates

By Alexa Ryan | Jan. 7

Across the country, dozens of organizations connect people on the outside with death row inmates through pen pal programs. Sometimes the correspondence ends after a few letters. Other times, it lasts decades.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville pastor arrested for failing to report child sex abuse

By Alexa Ryan | Dec. 1

The first incident happened in 2019, when the church’s school ministry was traveling to Kentucky by bus on official church business, according to the sworn complaint that led to his arrest.

Protestors of the death penalty sit outside Florida State Prison and pray in opposition to the execution of Richard “Malik” Randolph. Randolph was executed in Raiford on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Florida man executed for 1988 Palatka rape and murder

By Alexa Ryan | Nov. 20

The state of Florida executed Richard Barry Randolph at 6:12 p.m. on Thursday.

Protestors of the death penalty sit outside Florida State Prison in opposition to the execution of Bryan Frederick Jennings. Jennings was executed in Raiford on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Brevard man executed for rape and murder of 6-year-old

By Alexa Ryan | Nov. 13

At 6:20 p.m. on Thursday, the state executed 66-year-old Bryan Jennings for the murder of a 6-year-old Brevard County girl in 1979.

Correspondent John Koch poses for a portrait outside the Florida State Prison in Starke on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Meet the man who has witnessed every Florida execution since Ted Bundy’s

By Alexa Ryan | Oct. 31

John Koch’s colleagues know him by a different name: Dr. Death.

Helen Pajama bangs a hammer on a metal cylinder in solidarity of the execution of Norman Mearle Grim. Grim was executed at Florida State Prison on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Florida man executed for 1998 murder and sexual battery of next-door neighbor

By Alexa Ryan | Oct. 28

Norman Mearle Grim was executed by the state at 6:14 p.m. on Tuesday for the 1998 murder of his neighbor in East Milton near Pensacola.

Protestors gather together in prayer outside of the Florida State Prison in Raiford in opposition to the execution of Samuel Lee Smithers. Smithers was executed in Raiford, Fla., on Oct. 14, 2025.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Tampa church leader known as ‘Deacon of Death’ executed for Hillsborough murders

By Alexa Ryan | Oct. 14

Correction: This story previously misidentified John Chick Sr. as a member of a different church. The story has since been updated to reflect the correct church.