“He’s a ‘hot head,’ but when you instigate him, there’s no stopping him.”
That’s what Gunnar Joseph Galambos’s girlfriend told police of her boyfriend when they arrived at Johnny D’s shortly after midnight Saturday. The county’s 911 center had received calls about a man who’d struck the manager at the restaurant and bar on State Road A1A in Flagler Beach, “causing him to fall to the ground bleeding profusely,” according to a Flagler Beach police report.
The man–later identified as Galambos, 27–“then attempted to flee to a pickup truck in the parking lot, where he struck a woman on the face twice with his vehicle door, then pulled a firearm and pointed it at a couple attempting to make note of his license plate number,” according to the reports to 911.
A witness and alleged victim would later detail what she’d seen: Shortly after midnight, an altercation broke out on the patio of the establishment. The 60-year-old manager of Johnny D’s attempted to break it up. Galambos in response allegedly struck the manager twice in the face, the second time causing him to fall and possibly losing consciousness.
“He was covered in blood,” the witness reported. The witness ran to check on the manager while her husband ran after Galambos, seeing him get into a truck. It was then that the witness saw Galambos strike a young woman twice with the door of his pick-up truck, “causing her to stagger and fall to the ground,” according to the report. That woman would later be identified as Galambos’s 24-year-old girlfriend. The witness’ fear could be heard in the 911 call after Galambos pointed a gun at her and her husband and briefly seemed to stalk them as they tried to hide.
When a Flagler Beach police officer arrived at the scene he saw the couple crouching next to a pick-up truck, the man shielding the woman. Bystanders pointed to a Silverado, shouting: “He has a gun!” The officer drew his firearm. Just then Galambos’s girlfriend yelled out from the side of Johnny D’s that she had the gun, a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson. It was sticking out of her handbag. She was in sobs and hyperventilating. The officer ordered her to put her hands on her head, and disarmed her. But the pick-up truck people had pointed to was empty. Galambos had vanished.
The girlfriend denied to the officer that there was a suspect at all, according to the report, conceding only that the man police were looking for was her boyfriend, Galambos. But she would not cooperate with law enforcement. “She at first attempted to deny Gunnar had been present at all,” the report states. “She then denied that he had ever been in possession of the firearm, and continued to insist that he had not put his hands on her or anyone else, nor had he drawn the weapon.”
The officer reported Galambos’s girlfriend called her father: “They disrespected me and a group of women,” the officer heard the woman say to her father, “and Gunnar, with his personality — he dealt with it how he deals with it. And now, he has taken off and the cops are at Johnny D’s. And I don’t know what to do.”
Meanwhile the manager was “still visibly bleeding from multiple wounds” to his face as he spoke with officers and was tended to by paramedics. “He had two blood-soaked cotton swabs in his nostrils to stanch the flow of blood, and his shirt was heavily bloodstained.” He felt his shoulder may have been dislocated. He described the incident unfolding much as the other two witnesses had, and all identified Galambos as the alleged aggressor. His debit card, used to open a tab, was still at Johnny D’s.
Numerous Flagler County Sheriff’s units responded to assist in finding Galambos, as did a St. Johns County Sheriff’s helicopter and a K-9 unit. Law enforcement checked Galambos’s Bunnell residence on Bayberry Street as well as his girlfriend’s on Perrotti Lane in Palm Coast, where the couple lives together. It was only several hours later that deputies arrested him at the Perrotti Lane address.
Galambos was charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of misdemeanor domestic battery. He was booked at the Flagler County jail late Saturday morning. He posted bail on $42,000 bond the next day. A no-contact order is in effect for his three alleged victims. He is pleading not guilty. He is represented by attorney John Hager.
Galambos in 2013 was charged with a felony for allegedly leaving the scene of a crash where an injury had resulted. The charge was dropped. He faced three felony charges in 2016 when he was accused of throwing his then-girlfriend and mother of their 5-week-old child into a glass mirror, shattering it, and against a door violently enough to knock it off its hinges, and throwing the child–who was strapped in a car seat–onto a couch as the struggle with his alleged victim continued. The charge was pleaded down to a deferred-prosecution agreement, which was successfully completed.
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Mark says
Would love to know who instigated this incident by disrespecting the girls. Full story please!!
John Stove says
Who cares?….it’s ok to go full physico on a 60 year old and a woman?
If anyone has a disagreement with another handle it like an adult.
This guy has a rap sheet of a loser and this recent interaction proves it.
Jimbo99 says
Relatively irrelevant on the disrespect, was it even real or just a perceived slight ? This dude pulled a gun, he hit a 60 year old manager. He’s going down hard hard on this one for prison time and his GF may face charges for lying to law enforcement.
JD says
Who cares who instigated it? That was words. He punched an old man in the face and pulled a gun. GIANT PANSY with an anger problem.
CheckYourself101 says
Really like that matters…
Hmmmm says
Not trying to victim-shame here, but I have certainly never heard of a guest being cut-off at Johnny D’s.
Pup the bunny hunter says
Well, maybe you should do a little research into captain caveman’s previous arrest record and violent outburst. His pattern of violence was escalating. It was a matter of time before this or worse would happen outside of his circle.
FlaglerBear says
I’m sort of wondering why the girlfriend wasn’t arrested as well, being that the gun was passed to her, she decided to call her father and not the police, and was uncooperative. I get it, she was scared. But she knows exactly who she’s dealing with. I’m sure law enforcement had their reasoning, but why continue to defend the indefensible? People need to grow up!
Jesus Christ Lord and Savior says
I guess the Flagler County gov’t supports her regardless.
Suzanne Johnston post on Facebook:
“Kaitlin, you are super special and have a lot going for you. You will be just fine because too many people care about you. Hang in there, this will pass.”
WTF Flagler Beach says
Wow! The hits keep coming with her. I think it might be time for her clarify this matter at the next commission meeting. Supporting someone that is not cooperative with the police not cool.
LOVE says
Maybe they should start drug testing people when they take them to jail… that white powder influences a lot.
Tim says
This guys shouldn’t have a gun . This is strike two and I hope they don’t let him off so easy this time
trailer bob says
First of all, He should not be allowed to carry a gun outside his home. He has a criminal record, so does he even have a legitimate license to carry? Curious…
FlaglerLive says
He was never convicted of a felony.
trailer bob says
I don’t believe it has to be a felony. When applying for a carry permit, your entire history should be looked at, and this is what the state attempts to do. Just seems that with a temper like that dude has, that he would have some record of the aggressive type. I had to explain to the State of Florida something I did back when I was in my teens, and it wasn’t anywhere near a felony…?
ASF says
Does this guy have to actually kill someone before people realize that “having a bad temper” is no excuse for physical violence?
His girlfriend may decide for herself whether to stay or leave her domestic situation. But God help any children that might be anywhere near this guy on any given day.
Wow says
How many crimes does this guy have to do before someone cares? As far as his girlfriend “ And I don’t know what to do.” My advice is to run and keep running. Obviously you don’t even respect yourself.
Ronnie P says
He must’ve gotten mad when he found out they only serve beer out of Igloo coolers. He realized he would’ve been better off buying a twelve pack at the store and throwing it in his own Igloo. Then backing into a nice spot on the beach overlooking the ocean instead of overlooking a median strip at Johnny D’s.
Average Bear says
If all of these incidents occurred while Mr. Galambos was intoxicated. He needs to seriously consider sobriety. And counseling I am no expert but to me it appears he needs some help after reading this article it sounds like he has good intentions( but his anger is getting the best of him.) He is somewhat protective yet intolerant to disrespect. I pray that he finds himself and some clarity very soon. It is never too late to look yourself in the mirror and realize that you need to make changes in your life. As humans we cannot go back and change our mistakes no matter what they are, but we can learn from them and many people do change. A lot of these bartenders do not cut people off in this town when it is needed because they simply care more about profit and tips. It’s sad how the county has turned out. We the People need to recognize that mental health is a serious issue here.
Blackpepper says
Why use we the people?? Sorry, but you don’t speak for me even if I do agree. When someone uses “We the People” my BS detectors go off. It’s sad but true.
JE K says
Wow!! This guy sounds like “quite” the gentleman!!! A real terrific guy! Ugh
Pope says
I was there moments before this went down. The “girlfriend” was on her phone and said something aloud that made my friend laugh. The so called victim/girlfriend’s friend got pissy at my friend and acted like it was a big deal, giving us a stare down like she wanted to fight. I totally believe that these girls instigated the confrontation by sending this psycho after those they felt “disrespected” by because they were in that mode before he got there. The girlfriend should be charged with making a false statement and maybe she’ll learn not to sic men on each other for her little drama fix. Trash women date trash guys.
Jesus Christ Lord and Savior says
Maybe everyone in Flagler County should withhold their property tax payments (if they own land in Flagler County) to show those in “power” that nobody is above the law. Just imagine this event happening to them, I am sure the Flagler County gov’t wouldn’t look the other way if it was someone in their family that was a victim. Oh, but it wasn’t, so this will all pass soon. Sorry, not this time!
Suzanne Johnston post on Facebook:
“Kaitlin, you are super special and have a lot going for you. You will be just fine because too many people care about you. Hang in there, this will pass.”
Copper says
Dude is a punk . And his girlfriend works for the county . Typical cover up for a drunk good ol boy . Real cool dude !
None says
Oh my gosh! This sounds like a very dangerous person with a serious anger management problem. No more cutting him breaks and deals. He’s going to kill someone soon at this rate.
A.j says
Certain people commit all kinds of crime and get away. Charges dropped, something pleaded down, just don’t u derstand. I c why people commit crimes, they will drop the charges so you can do another crime. They say crime has gone down in this county, don’t believe that. I might become a criminal myself. Do anything I want to and get away with it. Not this man, I got to set an example for younger men, don’t get into trouble. Keep your slate clean.
palmcoaster says
Dangerous violent man with an obvious history of violence and a case of a gun in the wrong hands. If let go again is going to end up killing somebody. Send him to prison for few years and while there have him treated for anti social behavioral issues. And please do not justify his issues of violence.
Dave says
Typical trash. People who make a big scene about being “disrespected” typically don’t deserve any to begin with. Go back to
the trailer park and leave the rest of us alone.
Bob says
How many times is this hot head’s charges going to be dropped or lowered before he ends up killing someone? He obviously needs anger management training not that that will even work.
His girlfriend who someone wrote works for the county needs to be disciplined at her work place if not terminated for lying to the Flagler County Sheriffs Officers covering up the true facts of the circumstances. She also needs to be charged.
Just Me says
didn’t eveend 24 hours in jail before he was released on bail….
NativeGirl says
Wonder what advice the girlfriends Father (a local retired firefighter) gave her over the phone?
LawAbidingCitizen says
I’ve seen him out and about. He walks around like he thinks he’s tough. He assaulted a 60 year old man then ran and got a gun… that’s REAL tough! Not to mention, he puts hands on women. This kid is trash.
It’s about time his charges stick and he gets some punishment for his actions.
Steve says
Yeah Mr tough guy is gonna find out hes a mommas boy soon enough
Concerned Citizen says
This guy needs to go away for a long time.
The fact that he’s even out on bond pisses me off to no end. Here he has a list of priors. And our inept judges issue a ridiculous bond. There should be an automatic no bond for violent offenses. End of story.
I sympathize to a certain point with his girlfriend but she needs to be charged for lying to Officers. And for having possesion of that fire arm.
lamo says
Mrs. Johnston
drug test her too, you will probably change that statement, quick…
trailer bob says
“at the restaurant and bar on State Road A1A in Flagler Beach”?
The Golden Lion moved some time ago to 319 Moody Blvd, Flagler Beach.