GIFFORD —What started out over a disagreement over $11 for alcohol ended with shots fired and a Gifford man’s arrest, authorities said.
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office arrested Delray Montaque, 22, of the 3400 block of 44th Place, in Gifford, on July 22, following a week-long investigation into shots fired at the This and That store on 45th Street.
Montaque faces three felony charges that include attempted murder, aggravated assault and carrying a concealed weapon, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He is being held at the county jail in lieu of $125,000 bail.
The arrest stemmed from an altercation that took place July 13 at the Shake Your Booty Club on 43rd Street during which Montaque is accused of pulling a gun on a woman, threatening her over $11 he had given her to buy alcohol.
The woman told him that she had not been able to get a ride to the store to buy the alcohol and that she would give him his money back. She called authorities while her friend ran to get her brother.
Montaque left the scene before the woman’s brother arrived, but he came back after the Sheriff’s Office responded and was questioned and let go.
The following day, Montaque and the woman’s brother, identified as Remus Taylor, got into a verbal altercation outside This and That, during which Taylor attempted to walk away from, according to the Sheriff’s Office review of surveillance video taken from the store.
The video, deputies said, shows Taylor walking away when Montaque pulls a gun and begins firing in Taylor’s direction.
According to the arrest affidavit, one of the rounds kicked up dirt near Taylor’s feet.
Taylor exchanged fire before fleeing the area, which he told authorities was an act of self defense.
No one was injured in the shoot-out and Taylor has not been charged for firing his gun.
Given the witness statements and video surveillance, authorities arrested Montaque.
