• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
MENUMENU
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • FlaglerLive Board of Directors
    • Comment Policy
    • Mission Statement
    • Our Values
    • Privacy Policy
  • Live Calendar
  • Submit Obituary
  • Submit an Event
  • Support FlaglerLive
  • Advertise on FlaglerLive (386) 503-3808
  • Search Results

FlaglerLive

No Bull, no Fluff, No Smudges

MENUMENU
  • Flagler
    • Flagler County Commission
    • Beverly Beach
    • Economic Development Council
    • Flagler History
    • Mondex/Daytona North
    • The Hammock
    • Tourist Development Council
  • Palm Coast
    • Palm Coast City Council
    • Palm Coast Crime
  • Bunnell
    • Bunnell City Commission
    • Bunnell Crime
  • Flagler Beach
    • Flagler Beach City Commission
    • Flagler Beach Crime
  • Cops/Courts
    • Circuit & County Court
    • Florida Supreme Court
    • Federal Courts
    • Flagler 911
    • Fire House
    • Flagler County Sheriff
    • Flagler Jail Bookings
    • Traffic Accidents
  • Rights & Liberties
    • Fourth Amendment
    • First Amendment
    • Privacy
    • Second Amendment
    • Seventh Amendment
    • Sixth Amendment
    • Sunshine Law
    • Third Amendment
    • Religion & Beliefs
    • Human Rights
    • Immigration
    • Labor Rights
    • 14th Amendment
    • Civil Rights
  • Schools
    • Adult Education
    • Belle Terre Elementary
    • Buddy Taylor Middle
    • Bunnell Elementary
    • Charter Schools
    • Daytona State College
    • Flagler County School Board
    • Flagler Palm Coast High School
    • Higher Education
    • Imagine School
    • Indian Trails Middle
    • Matanzas High School
    • Old Kings Elementary
    • Rymfire Elementary
    • Stetson University
    • Wadsworth Elementary
    • University of Florida/Florida State
  • Economy
    • Jobs & Unemployment
    • Business & Economy
    • Development & Sprawl
    • Leisure & Tourism
    • Local Business
    • Local Media
    • Real Estate & Development
    • Taxes
  • Commentary
    • The Conversation
    • Pierre Tristam
    • Diane Roberts
    • Guest Columns
    • Byblos
    • Editor's Blog
  • Culture
    • African American Cultural Society
    • Arts in Palm Coast & Flagler
    • Books
    • City Repertory Theatre
    • Flagler Auditorium
    • Flagler Playhouse
    • Flagler Youth Orchestra
    • Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra
    • Palm Coast Arts Foundation
    • Special Events
  • Elections 2024
    • Amendments and Referendums
    • Presidential Election
    • Campaign Finance
    • City Elections
    • Congressional
    • Constitutionals
    • Courts
    • Governor
    • Polls
    • Voting Rights
  • Florida
    • Federal Politics
    • Florida History
    • Florida Legislature
    • Florida Legislature
    • Ron DeSantis
  • Health & Society
    • Flagler County Health Department
    • Ask the Doctor Column
    • Health Care
    • Health Care Business
    • Covid-19
    • Children and Families
    • Medicaid and Medicare
    • Mental Health
    • Poverty
    • Violence
  • All Else
    • Daily Briefing
    • Americana
    • Obituaries
    • News Briefs
    • Weather and Climate
    • Wildlife

A “Cop” Faces Weapons Charge After Temperamental Confrontation at Palm Coast Gas Station

September 6, 2017 | FlaglerLive | 24 Comments

The incident took place at the Mobil gas station on Palm Coast's Pine Lakes Parkway Tuesday evening. (© FlaglerLive)
The incident took place at the Mobil gas station on Palm Coast’s Pine Lakes Parkway Tuesday evening. (© FlaglerLive)

Justin Digeorgio, a 23-year-old resident of Palm Coast’s Panorama Drive, faces a charge of improper exhibition of a weapon after he allegedly pointed a gun at another person at a very busy Pine Lakes Parkway gas station, where Digeorgio allegedly cut through a long line to a gas pump. The incident took place around 8 p.m. Tuesday (Sept. 5).


Digeorgio repeatedly identified himself as a “cop” to the alleged victim and to a Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy, according to his charging affidavit, but was not able to show a badge or identification to the deputy seeking to verify the information.

Sheriff Rick Staly said Digeorgio is a non-sworn bailiff at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. “I personally reached out to sheriff Williams last night,” Staly said, referring to Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams, “to let him know what we were investigating.”

Staly pointed to the incident to urge residents to be more patient at stores and gas stations during the Hurricane Irma emergency. “We’re all in the same boat, so let’s try to help our neighbors and work as a community – as a team – to prepare for the hurricane,” Staly said. “Our agency is in full hurricane reparation mode so that we will be ready to assist you throughout this storm event.”


“We’re all in the same boat, so let’s try to help our neighbors and work as a community.”


Two witnesses told the deputy that they saw a man at the gas pump holding a space for his 44-year-old wife to pull in after he’d waited in line. The witnesses then saw Digeorgio skip the line and back up into the spot in his Honda, where the man was standing. The man, a 60-year-old resident of Palm Coast, then confronted Digeorgio as Digeorgio continued to back up his car, to the point that it collided with the Toyota truck the man’s wife was driving. The witnesses heard Digeorgio yell out to the man that he was a cop, and to back up.

As the man described it, he’d told Digeorgio, “you can’t do this,” and Digeorgio pulled out a gun as he was yelling to him to back up. At one point the man placed himself between the Honda and the Toyota and was knocked down as the Honda kept backing up, though the investigating deputy reported that no collision between the Honda and the man was visible on surveillance camera. The man was not injured.

As Digeorgio described it, according to the charging report, “when he pulled up to the gas pump, a man got out of his vehicle and began yelling at him saying that he was next and to get in line. [Digeorgio told] him that he was in line but on the other side of the gas station.” The man, according to Digeorgio, began to yell and punched the trunk of the Honda, telling his wife to bring her car over. Digeorgio said he called 911 at that point, and told he man he was “a deputy with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.” As the confrontation and the yelling continued, with the man telling Digeorgio “I don’t give a fuck that you’re a cop,” Digeorgio says he pulled his gun after repeatedly telling him to “back up” because he was in fear for his safety (Digeorgio was in his car the whole time, and the man, who was black, was not armed). The loaded 9mm gun had been in his waistband.

The man then said, “shoot me,” Digeorgio claims, before the man’s wife led him back to his car.

When the investigating deputy reviewed surveillance footage, it showed the man holding the spot when Digeorgio reversed into it, then shows the two men exchanging words after the older man had walked up to Digeorgio’s window. The footage records the man falling, but not the car striking him.

Digeorgio was not arrested. He faces a misdemeanor charge, which was forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office for review. The weapon was seized as evidence.

This evening, the Mobil gas station on Pine Lakes was busy, but there were no lines.

Support FlaglerLive's End of Year Fundraiser
Thank you readers for getting us to--and past--our year-end fund-raising goal yet again. It’s a bracing way to mark our 15th year at FlaglerLive. Our donors are just a fraction of the 25,000 readers who seek us out for the best-reported, most timely, trustworthy, and independent local news site anywhere, without paywall. FlaglerLive is free. Fighting misinformation and keeping democracy in the sunshine 365/7/24 isn’t free. Take a brief moment, become a champion of fearless, enlightening journalism. Any amount helps. We’re a 501(c)(3) non-profit news organization. Donations are tax deductible.  
You may donate openly or anonymously.
We like Zeffy (no fees), but if you prefer to use PayPal, click here.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. The Geode says

    September 6, 2017 at 9:06 pm

    To be honest, I can almost see the justification of anger aimed at some INCONSIDERATE codger “saving a spot for his wife”. What makes HER so special that she can’t wait like everybody else? Why did they have the need to fill up EVERY car they had? If anything happened, I’m sure they would have driven ONE car. People are too gluttonous and greedy when consideration is needed.

  2. Who are you kidding. Another day in paradise. Another day in hell. says

    September 6, 2017 at 9:13 pm

    Oh dear God. Where do they think they are going any way. This the end we are all going to die. Good bye everybody goodbye🤓

  3. Kathleen Vacchelli says

    September 7, 2017 at 1:03 am

    There were many witnesses there and 2 young male bystanders called 911.and said that there was a man at the gas station brandishing a gun. When the police arrived they went straight to the black couple. That is when the young men said that it was Digeorgio who was the aggressor and had the gun. Also Digeorgio called the man a nigga. This man’s life was in danger. He could of been shot because he was black. On the back of Digeorgio’s car was a sign that said “Police Lives Matter”. The loaded 9mm gun had been in his waistband with his hand on it. Sheriff Rick Staly said Digeorgio is a non-sworn bailiff at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. I don’t think this makes him a cop??? Only a misdemeanor !!! Did he think he did not have to wait in a line like the rest of us. This could of all been avoided if Digeorgio had waited in line like everyone else.

  4. hypocrites says

    September 7, 2017 at 3:16 am

    Of course there’s no charges, he’s a pig! They don’t investigate and CERTAINLY don’t charge their own kind, that’s just the way they see it. He may not be a real, sworn-in officer, but he’s close enough that the police don’t give a shit about his crimes. It’s okay though, the jackass will point the gun at someone again, and eventually it will be aimed at the wrong person.

  5. Sw says

    September 7, 2017 at 3:38 am

    How do you not reslize that the CAMERAS are rolling everywhere “COP”.And even if you were a COP you dont cut in line at a gas pump chump. IDIOT smh

  6. Old Lady says

    September 7, 2017 at 5:34 am

    Hurricane frenzy strikes again

  7. Bc. says

    September 7, 2017 at 5:43 am

    What right did that man have to hold a spot if everyone did that it would be a nightmare trying to get gas. Sounds to me the older man got very aggressive and I am sure the Jacksonville man had every rite to protect himself. If no car was at that pump that pump is available period…

  8. Amy says

    September 7, 2017 at 8:00 am

    He needs to be arrested. Point blank period.

  9. Geroge says

    September 7, 2017 at 8:01 am

    Cop pulls gun on unarmed man, no arrest. Man pulls gun on cop, gets shot to death. Seems legit.

  10. Tiggy says

    September 7, 2017 at 8:55 am

    Flagler Live,

    The way the headline of this story reads is disingenuous and inflammatory. Why stir the pot when it is not necessary? It is clearly stated the employee is not a sworn officer. He doesn’t have any of the constitutional powers of arrest.

  11. FlaglerLive says

    September 7, 2017 at 9:21 am

    Digeorgio repeatedly referring to himself as a “cop” was central to the incident developing as it did. That’s why the quote marks around the word. Ignoring the fact would be disingenuous. We fail to see how the headline is “inflammatory,” unless you’re implying that cops in any context somehow are sacred cows and should not have their profession aggrieved by fact. If so, we disagree.

  12. Conscious says

    September 7, 2017 at 9:58 am

    It’s because this couple is black that you all are outraged he held a spot for his wife to get gas. People have been filling up buckets of excess gas for their families in case of an emergency. There is no justification for a man/cop/un-sworn bailiff to pull a gun on a pedestrian period and use a FALSE title to assert himself as more important than this man trying to help his family prepare for this storm. Amerikkka at its finest.

  13. JasonB says

    September 7, 2017 at 10:20 am

    How exactly does someone claim to be a cop and brandish a gun, and not get arrested? Just a misdemeanor, really?

  14. HonkeyDude says

    September 7, 2017 at 10:21 am

    Yes. ~FL

    Flagler Live can you please answer one question….. Was the firearm seized as EVIDENCE?

  15. Just the truth says

    September 7, 2017 at 10:22 am

    Please people keep your cool now is not the time to lose your patients.

  16. Born and Raised Here says

    September 7, 2017 at 10:53 am

    Us Native Floridians don’t act like that, had to be folks from New York. This county is full of them.

  17. Dave says

    September 7, 2017 at 1:02 pm

    Where is the justice in Flagler County? Where is the Sheriff and why won’t he protect his citizens from this police thug? And then the Sheriff has the nerve to tell the people to be on good behavior while it’s the cop brandishing a gun causing trouble. Internal Affairs! INTERNAL AFFAIRS! I really hope the victim sues

  18. Anonymous says

    September 8, 2017 at 12:06 am

    No doubt another internal investigation and then 3 days off with pay. This guy is not above the law and needs to be arrested. There needs to be an age requirement of min 35 to be an officer…..too many kids out there pretending to be adults.

  19. New Yorker 13 says

    September 8, 2017 at 2:44 pm

    This guy should of been arrested , he pulled a gun on the gentlemen which is agg. assault which is a third degree felony and a jail sentence up to 5 years in jail.

  20. Joe says

    September 8, 2017 at 5:09 pm

    It is too easy to become a police officer in this country.
    Many immature boys who don’t know what to do with their lives and just want power and authority over others and good benefits go into this job.
    An officer’s job is not to be a self-serving immature thug. Your job is to serve and protect american citizens.
    This arrogant boy with bad nerves should be banned from police enforcement for endangering the lives of others over gas. How will he handle more serious situations when he becomes an actual police officer? Probably, just shoot before think.

  21. The Geode says

    September 8, 2017 at 7:59 pm

    Conscious – I am BLACK. I am also the first comment you see castigating “the codger” for holding a place in line. At the time, I had no idea of the race of the couple – NOR DID I CARE. It is wrong to try and skip those who’s time and patience is as valuable and as short as yours. This isn’t about “race” it’s about inconsiderate ass-hats who think their wants and rights supersede everybody else’s.

  22. Heading North says

    September 9, 2017 at 1:13 pm

    Dave
    He’s NOT a police officer, he’s nothing more than a court bailiff, civilian.
    And yes, he needs to be prosecuted, no question!

  23. Robin says

    September 9, 2017 at 1:55 pm

    On the state of Florida, it is an offense under Florida law to display a dangerous weapon in an angry, careless, or threatening manner. Improper Exhibition of a Firearm and/or Improper Display of a Weapon are crimes governed by Florida Statute 790.10. This man is not a sworn officer and should have been arrested at the scene but instead our lame deputies let him go. We have one of the worst sheriff’s offices in the land. We were pulled over in our development and told we did not stop in the proper place behind the stop sign when the law clearly says you can pull forward until you have clear visibility to see into the intersection. The deputy had to issue an apology to us and learn the law correctly. I guess this deputy was to scared to fight real crime so instead trolls communities to write citizens what he thought would be a traffic citation. This is the kind of deputies Flagler County has. There is no excuse. This man should have been arrested and booked into the jail. He also claimed to be a police officer which is also illegal. He should be arrested and fired from his job as he is a disgrace.

  24. Robin says

    September 9, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    Our sheriff should not be investigating the “matter”. He should be investigating why this man banishing a weapon was not arrested by his deputies. There is no excuse for not arresting this guy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Conner Bosch law attorneys lawyers offices palm coast flagler county
  • grand living realty
  • politis matovina attorneys for justice personal injury law auto truck accidents

Primary Sidebar

  • grand living realty
  • politis matovina attorneys for justice personal injury law auto truck accidents

Recent Comments

  • Enough is enough on Danko No Longer District Director for Randy Fine; Congressman Calls for Nuking Gaza’s 2 Million Palestinians
  • Nephew Of Uncle Sam on Danko No Longer District Director for Randy Fine; Congressman Calls for Nuking Gaza’s 2 Million Palestinians
  • Dakota on Palm Coast City Attorney Calls Mayor Norris ‘Unprofessional and Inappropriate’ 3 Weeks After Censure for Similar Behavior
  • Jaii Hein on Danko No Longer District Director for Randy Fine; Congressman Calls for Nuking Gaza’s 2 Million Palestinians
  • Laurie Jo Jo Bergman on Margaritaville’s Compass Hotel in Flagler Beach Opens in Buffett-Themed Celebration of a Downtown Remade
  • Kat on Danko No Longer District Director for Randy Fine; Congressman Calls for Nuking Gaza’s 2 Million Palestinians
  • Critical Eye on Palm Coast City Attorney Calls Mayor Norris ‘Unprofessional and Inappropriate’ 3 Weeks After Censure for Similar Behavior
  • JimboXYZ on Danko No Longer District Director for Randy Fine; Congressman Calls for Nuking Gaza’s 2 Million Palestinians
  • Grey Man on Danko No Longer District Director for Randy Fine; Congressman Calls for Nuking Gaza’s 2 Million Palestinians
  • NJ on Danko No Longer District Director for Randy Fine; Congressman Calls for Nuking Gaza’s 2 Million Palestinians
  • Dave on Margaritaville’s Compass Hotel in Flagler Beach Opens in Buffett-Themed Celebration of a Downtown Remade
  • Canary on Danko No Longer District Director for Randy Fine; Congressman Calls for Nuking Gaza’s 2 Million Palestinians
  • Canary on Palm Coast City Attorney Calls Mayor Norris ‘Unprofessional and Inappropriate’ 3 Weeks After Censure for Similar Behavior
  • More Blondes on Afrikaners are South African Opportunists, Not Refugees
  • America First on Danko No Longer District Director for Randy Fine; Congressman Calls for Nuking Gaza’s 2 Million Palestinians
  • No political affiliation on Palm Coast’s Golden Chopsticks Buffet Open Again 2 Days After Sanitation Inspection Ordered It Closed

Log in