Armed suspect fires gun during attempted car jackings at rec center in The Villages

An armed man caused chaos Wednesday night went he fired a gun during attempted carjackings at a recreation center in The Villages.

At about 8:15 p.m., the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office received multiple 911 calls reporting an armed man attempting to enter vehicles at the Colony Cottage Recreation Center and the nearby Walgreens at Colony Plaza.

Deputies quickly identified the suspect as 48-year-old Christopher Alan Grant of Pensacola, who was brandishing a firearm and threatening people in the area. During the incident, Grant discharged a firearm into an occupied vehicle, pointed the weapon at multiple people, and attempted to carjack individuals at both the Walgreens and the nearby Colony Cottage Recreation Center.

Deputies took Grant into custody. At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of a loaded FN Herstal 9mm pistol.

Through the investigation, detectives determined that several victims were assaulted, threatened at gunpoint, and forcibly moved against their will. Grant, a convicted felon, was also found to be out of compliance with required felony registration.

Grant has been charged with multiple felony offenses including seven counts of  aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and armed carjacking. He was booked without bond at the Sumter County Detention Center.