Gainesville, FL -- A local firefighter charged with shooting a man over the weekend went before a judge Monday morning. After spending the night in jail, the firefighter's bond was set on the charge of aggravated battery.
Brian Minnich, 26, posted his $20,000 bail around 4 p.m. Monday afternoon. While he is free for now, it's not clear whether Minnich will be returning to work.
Roughly five hours before he would have reported for work on Sunday, police officers say he opened fire on a man at close range.
"This was at best a nothing argument that escalated into something very serious. The most recent medical update we have is that our victim in this case will possibly be paralyzed from the waist down for his life," says Sgt. Keith Kameg of the Gainesville Police Department.
The victim Baron Krevetske lives on NW 24th street where the shooting occurred. Police say the gunshots stemmed from an argument that broke out between the two men.
Detectives say the victim smashed out Minnich's truck windows, and then the firefighter retaliated by pulling out his handgun and firing six shots. Two of them struck Krevetske. Minnich's job could be on the line.
"The decision will not be made entirely here in fire rescue. It will be a county-level decision, but we still have to bring more information back to the county so we can review the circumstances and determine what the best practice is for the employee and for the county," says Alachua County Fire Rescue Chief Will May.
But, there is no time frame on how long that decision will take. May says Minnich has been a good employee for close to four years. Police say he doesn't have a criminal record.
