Florida offensive lineman Ronnie Wilson, arrested in early April in connection with allegedly firing a semiautomatic rifle into the air during a dispute with another man, has been formally charged with two misdemeanors.
Wilson, 19, a rising redshirt junior, faces a misdemeanor battery charge for spitting and slapping the alleged victim at a popular Gainesville nightclub, and a misdemeanor charge for discharging a firearm in public.
Each carries a maximum one-year sentence in jail and/or $1,000 fine. He has pleaded not guilty.
Alachua County State Attorney Bill Cervone said Friday that his analysis of the situation - Wilson drove away from the club, was followed by the alleged victim as he took a circuitous route before eventually stopping in a darkened parking lot - and the current state law regarding self defense prevented him from charging Wilson with a felony.
"I can't say it's not reasonable to be concerned for your safety," he said of Wilson, who police say got out of his car, retrieved the weapon from his truck and fired into the air. "Firing a shot when he (the alleged victim) was backing away (in his car) does cross a line."