Daniel Eugene Buchanan, 42, of Palatka, allegedly shot Kevin Brinson, 25, of Palatka, once in the buttocks Friday as Brinson tried to run from Buchanan, said Lt. Gary Bowling. Buchanan found Brinson along Beech Street next to a house at 401 Oak St. in Palatka, sheriff's Capt. Rick Ryan said.
Late Tuesday, a warrant was issued for sheriff's deputies to arrest Buchanan, Assistant State Attorney Robin Strickler said.
Putnam County Sheriff's Capt. Rick Ryan said Buchanan surrendered at the Putnam County Jail at 5:10 p.m. Ryan said Buchanan was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm. Ryan said he posted $5,004 bond and was released.
Ryan said the jail would allow Buchanan to do business Tuesday night if the occasion arose where someone asked him to bond them out.
"We will continue to do this until we receive clarification from the Florida Insurance Commission on the statute regarding bail bondsmen who have been arrested on a felony," Ryan said. "We expect to hear from the insurance commission early Wednesday morning."
Buchanan was trying to apprehend Brinson and return him to the Putnam County Jail for bond revocation because Brinson had skipped bond and failed to appear in court on drug charges, Bowling said.
"This doesn't happen very often," Ryan said. "It's the first time I've ever heard of it."
After he allegedly wounded Brinson, Buchanan brought him to the Putnam County Jail to surrender for skipping out on bond, Ryan said. When booking officers noticed Brinson was wounded, they called a rescue crew, Ryan said.
"Once we realized this individual was shot, we conducted an investigation into the circumstances," Ryan said.
Deputies filed a complaint affidavit for aggravated battery with a firearm with the state attorney's office Monday, he said. But it's up to the state attorney to file the charge, Ryan said.
"I've never heard anything derogatory about (Buchanan)," Ryan said. "He's just one of the bondsmen. We needed to make sure we had all the facts first. We needed written statements from eyewitnesses. We don't consider him a flight risk."
Brinson's injuries were non-life threatening, Bowling said. Brinson was transported by helicopter to Shands Jacksonville hospital, where he was listed in good condition late Tuesday, a spokeswoman said.
Terrill Hill, a Palatka lawyer representing Brinson, said Tuesday the shooting left him frustrated.
"I just want to see justice prevail," Hill said. "Everyone has their rights. It's a no-brainer. I've been on the phone trying to get answers for five days" wanting to know why deputies did not charge Buchanan immediately, he said. The state attorney's office researched the case to make sure Buchanan did not have the authority, as a bail bondsman, to shoot his client, Hill said.
"There was nothing in the report to cause (Buchanan) to believe his life was in danger," Hill said.
