James Gainvors has been convicted of Manslaughter with a Firearm. The jury returned the guilty verdict just after 8 p.m. Wednesday night, following a two-day trial
in Charlotte County.
Assistant State Attorney Andreas Gardiner, of the State Attorney’s Office Homicide Unit, and Assistant State Attorney Christopher Stone prosecuted the case.
On July 4, 2023, the victim was shooting off fireworks to celebrate the July 4th holiday, on an empty lot, two houses away from the defendant’s home. The defendant was upset about the fireworks and called the Charlotte County Fire Department, claiming a spark from an errant firework, started a small fire. Firefighters arrived and found a small burnt area at the empty lot.
The next day, on July 5th, the victim was returning a trailer to a friend’s home that was borrowed for a camping trip. The friend lives across the street from the defendant. As the victim was driving away someone came to the open window of the defendant’s home and displayed an obscene finger gesture. This caused the victim to stop his pick-up truck and yell out, asking if there was a problem. The defendant then stepped outside of the house.
The victim then got out of his truck and put his belongings in his truck, like his jewelry, to show he had nothing on him, and told the defendant he had nothing on him. The defendant then brandished a firearm as the victim stood about 20 feet away. He then raised the gun, pointed it at the victim, and shot him. The entire incident was caught on a home video surveillance camera.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. Paramedics arrived and tried to save the victim, but he was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The defendant was arrested following an investigation.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 22, 2024.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office