- April 17, 2024
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K-9s and FireFlight helicopter were called to track down a man, Kyle Knever, who was believed to have a gun in the W-section on May 1. Thanks to tips from residents to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, the man was discovered and arrested, though Knever denied having a gun.
“This is a great example of residents working together with law enforcement to protect our community and apprehend a suspect,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “I want to thank the public for all of their calls, especially the caller who ultimately led us to the suspect’s location and enabled us to take him into custody without incident.
"Unfortunately, a local business manager did not cooperate with our investigators and has evidence we need, so we will be back with a subpoena. If they destroy the evidence, they will be arrested. This guy is a convicted felon and witnesses saw him heading towards the victim's home with a gun. This could have had a much more tragic outcome.”
The incident unfolded this way: On May 1, 2021, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Wells Place about a weapons complaint.
The victim stated that her ex-boyfriend, Knever, was seen walking toward her residence by her adult son while he was driving his spouse to work. The victim’s son called her and expressed concern for her safety and told her to be careful. The victim told deputies that Knever has recently been showing up at her residence unexpectedly and using her outside electrical outlets to charge his cell phone without permission.
The victim stated a short time later that she observed Knever in her backyard, hiding in the bushes. She called her son who arrived at the home and confronted Knever. While attempting to get Knever to leave the residence, the victim’s son saw a handgun in Knever’s waistband. The victim’s son then chased Knever off the property with a stick and called law enforcement.
FCSO deputies immediately established a perimeter around the residence and began searching for Knever, who was not immediately located. The FCSO K-9 Unit and Fireflight responded to assist in searching the area. Additionally, the FCSO Public Affairs Office posted Community Alerts across all social media platforms advising residents of the search and requesting they remain indoors and/or avoid the area.
During the search, numerous residents began calling the FCSO Communications Center, stating Knever was running through their backyards and swimming in one of their pools. A resident on Woodside Drive called and stated he had the male sitting in his backyard, waiting for law enforcement. Several deputies responded and took Knever into custody without incident. A firearm was not recovered. Footage of the arrest can be seen on FCSO's social media.
When questioned by deputies, Knever stated that he was in a disturbance with the victim’s son, at her residence, and fled out of fear when he was threatened with a stick. When questioned about the firearm, Knever stated he did not have a firearm nor does he own one due to being a convicted felon. When deputies asked if Knever had heard the helicopter overhead or noticed the increased police presence attempting to locate him he stated he “did not.”
Knever’s vehicle was located by FCSO deputies backed into 2 Commerce Parkway (Palm Coast Data). Knever provided verbal consent for deputies to search his vehicle for any firearms, none were located.
This is not Knever’s first encounter with law enforcement. Knever has an extensive criminal history including four felony convictions for charges including Burglary of a Structure, Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance, and Sale of a Schedule II Substance and had recently been released from prison.
Kyle Knever was arrested and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. He is charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon without Intent to Kill and being held on no bond.
At the time of this release, Knever’s firearm has not been recovered. This investigation is ongoing and further charges may be pending. The FCSO is requesting that anyone with home surveillance footage in the “W Section” of Palm Coast recorded on 5/1/2021 between 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM please call the Non-Emergency line at 386313-4911 or email [email protected]
