UF Receiver Debose Will Not Be Charged In Shooting Incident
GAINESVILLE (CBSMiami/AP) — Gainesville police will not charge University of Florida receiver Andre Debose in connection with a shooting outside a friend's house.
Debose, 23, Victor Watkins, 24, and Kristan Lipham were having dinner at 23-year old John Honeycutt's house Saturday when Watkins and Debose began shoving each other. Debose was pushed into a window which broke. Honeycutt became upset and asked them to leave, according to Lieutenant Jeff Blundell.
While Debose and Watkins were leaving, Honeycutt came out and pointed a gun at Watkins. Debose and Watkins told police the gun wound up on the ground and Watkins picked it up. A round fired into the ground and Debose attempted to take the gun as another shot was fired into the ground.
Honeycutt then retrieved a rifle as the other two attempted to leave in Watkins' SUV. Honeycutt fired several shots into the vehicle.
Neither Debose nor Watkins was injured or charged. Honeycutt was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.
The Gainseville police originally announced on Facebook that Debose was the one that pushed Watkins into the glass. Spokesperson Ben Tobias released another statement on the social media site apologizing for putting Debose's reputation in jeopardy and commended him on his intervention that "likely prevented anyone from being injured or killed."
Debose was recently granted a sixth year of eligibility at Florida after missing all of 2013 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He has 29 catches for 543 yards and four touchdowns during his career. Debose also set a school record with four kickoff returns for a touchdown.
The Gators begin spring practice March 19.
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