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Gun Wielded At USF Talent Show

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By LINDSAY PETERSON

lpeterson@tampatrib.com

Published: March 28, 2009

TAMPA - A man at a talent show at the University of South Florida pulled out a loaded .357 Magnum and pointed it at a crowd of students Thursday night, said USF police Lt. Meg Ross.

No one was injured. The man, David Joseph Thornton, 26, was arrested on charges of possessing a gun on school property and carrying a concealed weapon. Because he pointed the gun at the crowd, he also was charged with aggravated assault, Ross said. He is not a USF student.

Police also arrested a man who was with Thornton, Markus Raines, 22, on marijuana possession charges. He is not a student, Ross said.

The confrontation occurred at the Apollo Night talent show at Cooper Hall. Thornton, who identified himself to police as a promoter and entertainer, was onstage and was asked by someone to get off, Ross said. After that, he pulled the gun on a group of people outside Cooper Hall.

The police arrived as the crowd was leaving the show, about 10:30 p.m., Ross said. As witnesses pointed out Thornton, police saw him get in a Dodge Magnum with two other people and attempt to leave the parking lot. At the same time, two other USF police cars arrived and blocked Thornton's path.

He was ordered out of the car at gunpoint and handcuffed. Police found the gun, loaded with five rounds, on the floorboard of the car Thornton was driving. They also discovered that it had been reported stolen.

Police also found marijuana on Raines, Ross said.

Both Thornton and Raines were booked at Hillsborough County Jail. They posted bail - $7,000 for Thornton and $500 for Raines - and were released.

Reporter Lindsay Peterson can be reached at (813) 259-7834.

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