Key West Man Arrested for Aggravated Assault with Firearm

During the early morning hours of Saturday, March 16, Key West Police made contact with a vehicle occupied by a man and woman parked in Little Hamaca Park after hours in violation of local ordinances.

Abraham Acosta, 24, of Key West, started the engine after being ordered by the officer to exit the car for further investigation into narcotics offenses.

The female occupant complied and began to exit the front passenger seat. Acosta then rapidly reversed, almost striking the woman and one of the officers on scene.

The first officer was able to enter the vehicle through the open passenger door, and a physical struggle ensued while Acosta continued his attempt to flee the scene.

The officer inside the car diverted the vehicle into a guardrail, preventing a collision with a patrol car. That’s when he saw a firearm on the floorboard by Acosta’s feet. Acosta’s left hand began reaching down towards the firearm on the floorboard. Fearing Acosta was going to use the firearm against him, the officer quickly gained control of Acosta’s left hand until the other officer on scene was able to open the door. The other officer on scene assisted in removing and handcuffing Acosta.

The firearm that Acosta was reaching for was a .45 Springfield semiautomatic pistol that was loaded with a round in the chamber, ready to be fired. Also recovered from the vehicle was an AR-15 style semiautomatic rifle, also loaded with a round in the chamber. That firearm was previously reported stolen in October 2023 out of Key West. The rifle’s owner was contacted and advised of the recovery.

Acosta was charged with one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a law enforcement officer, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer, one count of resisting an officer with violence, and one count of committing a felony while in possession of a firearm.

Miraculously, there were no injuries to either of the officers or the female on scene. Acosta was also not injured. Acosta was transported to the Monroe County Detention Facility where he awaits his court proceedings.