The man who flashed a handgun at four Florida A&M University students while trying to block them from entering an apartment building last month has received a fine and community service.
According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Donald Crandall Jr. entered into a deferred prosecution agreement this week that’ll allow him to avoid charges.
Donald Crandall was arrested on charges of improperly displaying a gun after flashing his firearm at a group of Black college students. (Image courtesy of Leon County Circuit Court)
Crandall, 49, was previously arrested on charges of improperly exhibiting a firearm during the Sept. 8 incident. However, those charges could be dropped so long as he completes 50 hours of community service and pays a $100 fine. The Florida man must also agree not to possess any firearms within the next six months.
“This agreement is a deferral of prosecution and not a contract of immunity,” Assistant State Attorney Adrian Mood wrote in the agreement. “Should (Crandall) fail to meet the terms and conditions of this agreement, the agreement shall be void at the discretion of the state attorney.”
Crandall was seen on viral video blocking a group of young Black men from entering the Stadium Centre apartments in Tallahassee, telling students they were not allowed on the elevator and that they “didn’t belong in the building.” He’s heard repeatedly questioning the group about who they were and why they didn’t have a key.
Isaiah Butterfield, who videoed the incident, said they were invited to the complex for a friend’s party when they encountered the stranger, who brandished a handgun as they tried boarding the elevator. Crandall told investigators he inadvertently pulled the weapon out as he reached to remove his keys from his pocket.
The students thought otherwise, however.
“These are the kind of people that are burning Nike products,” Butterfield wrote on Twitter. “We’re sick of the discrimination; never thought I’d have a personal experience with racism like this, this man pulled a gun on us because we were walking up to my friend’s apartment w/o a key.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Crandall must avoid violating any federal, state or local laws, and if he does so, must inform the state prosecutor’s office, WTXL reported. He’s also required to inform the prosecutor of any anticipated changes in residence, address, college, or employment and agree to verify any other information the prosecutor may need.
“It is stipulated and agreed that the State Attorney’s decision regarding full compliance in this regard shall not be reviewable by any court,” according to the agreement.
Crandall has since been fired from his job as hotel manager at the Baymont Inn & Suites.
