PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida – A teenager has been arrested after firing a gun outside a Waffle House in Port Charlotte late Saturday night, prompting a multi-part investigation that later led to a second arrest.
Just after 11 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to reports of a firearm being discharged at the Waffle House located at 810 Kings Highway. When deputies arrived, they learned that a male had fired a gun in the restaurant’s parking lot before fleeing the scene. No one was struck by the gunfire.
Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit identified the shooter as 17-year-old Gavin Ohle. According to investigators, Ohle had been inside the restaurant acting loudly and using vulgar language. When employees asked him to leave, he became irate and threw a chair. As he exited the building with another male, witnesses said the second individual attempted to restrain Ohle in a “bear hug.” Ohle broke free, pulled a firearm from his waistband, and fired a single shot before leaving the property.
While processing the scene, detectives learned that Ohle had later been involved in a separate altercation at a residence on Ruston Circle in Englewood, where he was stabbed. The injury was determined to be non-life-threatening. Ohle was transported to a local hospital for treatment and was released into law enforcement custody shortly afterward. The stabbing incident remains under investigation.
Sheriff Bill Prummell commented on the incident, describing the suspect as “troubled” and emphasizing that the behavior would not be tolerated in Charlotte County. He also expressed relief that no bystanders were injured and praised deputies for their work.
Ohle was transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
In an update to the case, detectives arrested a second suspect on Monday, January 20th. Quinzel Sheldon, 19, of Port Charlotte, was taken into custody and charged with tampering with evidence and accessory after the fact in connection with the Waffle House shooting. Investigators also recovered the firearm used in the incident.
The investigation remains active, and detectives continue to follow up on leads and conduct witness interviews. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit.
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