“This victim endured unimaginable fear and terror in his own home”: Florida man tried to kill, kidnapped a victim and thought he escaped justice

Florida – A federal jury has found a Florida man guilty of kidnapping and several firearm offenses after a violent home invasion that happened in the early hours of July 11, 2023. The conviction ends a case that was full of terror, a quick police response, and important evidence that linked the attacker to the crime.

The trial evidence showed that the event started at 6 a.m. when 37-year-old A. Gainer broke into the victim’s home in North Miami. Once inside, he started shooting, almost killing the resident who lived there. The victim was able to contact 911 while looking for cover, and the recording picked up the sound of Gainer firing three more shots while the victim was hiding. Prosecutors described those moments as life-threatening and traumatic.

U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones stressed how serious the incident was by saying that the victim faced “unimaginable fear and terror” in his own house.

“This victim endured unimaginable fear and terror in his own home,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Thanks to the courage of the victim and the swift work of law enforcement, justice was delivered. We will never relent in pursuing those who use guns to threaten, harm, or intimidate others.”

Officers were to the scene in minutes, but Gainer got away before they could catch him. The investigation went on, and things got worse once the police cleared the area. Gainer went back to the house hours after running away and confronted the victim again. This time, he kidnapped the victim at gunpoint and made him get into a rental car. The ordeal, however, ended when the victim managed to get away without injury.

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Before running away, the victim took a picture of the rental car’s license plate, which was a very important step. Investigators were able to link the plate back to Gainer, which made the case stronger. More evidence provided at trial linked him to the crime scene even more: ballistics tests showed that a gun found at Gainer’s house matched the shot casings found in the victim’s house.

The jury convicted Gainer of one count of kidnapping and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition. If convicted of kidnapping, the person could spend the rest of his life in prison. The longest possible penalty for each offense of firearm possession is 15 years. A federal district court judge will decide the final sentence after looking at federal guidelines and other relevant considerations.

Officials pointed out that the outcome was the result of a coordinated operation by federal agents, local police, and the victim, whose actions were key in finding the offender.