July 10, 2025
Levy County Deputies responded to a shooting incident Tuesday evening shortly after 7:00 p.m. at a vacant property east of Bronson. Deputies arrived and located a male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was immediately transported to a local emergency room for treatment of this life threatening injury.
The investigation determined two men, Justin Stevenson (12/31/90) of Bronson and the victim were involved in an argument over their failing business venture raising animals. The victim became aware an animal had been sold without consent which led to the verbal clash. The argument escalated and Stevenson pulled a handgun he had hidden in his pocket. One shot was fired striking the victim in the back as he fled for safety.
Stevenson told deputies he fired the shot to protect his pregnant fiancé whom he believed the victim was about to attack. However, this entire incident was being recorded, unbeknownst to Stevenson. The video evidence captured by the victim’s phone was recovered and used to debunk Stevenson’s statement of defense of another.
Stevenson has been arrested for one count of attempted second degree murder with a firearm and is being held in the Levy County Detention Center with no bond.