Police say the suspect tried to fire but the gun did not discharge during a dispute.
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Police arrested a 35-year-old man accused of pointing a gun at another gym member and attempting to shoot him inside a Crunch Fitness in Altamonte Springs this week, after an argument that began over how much weight people were lifting.
The case rattled a busy suburban gym along State Road 434 and put attention on how quickly a routine dispute can turn violent in public places. Investigators say the suspect fled on foot and then drove away before officers tracked him down. He is jailed without bond while prosecutors review evidence that includes witness statements and a police arrest report describing an alleged attempt to fire a handgun that appeared to jam.
Officers were called to the Crunch Fitness on Tuesday after reports of a disturbance involving a firearm. By the time police arrived, witnesses told investigators the suspect had already run out of the gym. In an arrest report, police identified him as Winston Medley, 35. A victim told detectives Medley approached his group while they were working out and criticized how much weight they were using, calling them “weak.” The comment sparked a brief argument before Medley walked away, the report said.
The victim’s group moved to another area and tried to continue its workout. Investigators say Medley returned minutes later, repeatedly asking the victim whether he “had a problem with him.” The victim told police he said he did not have a problem, but that Medley was acting aggressively and needed to stop. The report says Medley then pulled a firearm from his waistband and pointed it at the victim’s face. The victim ran, believing he was about to be shot, and looked back to see Medley manipulating the weapon as if he was trying to fire it or fix it.
Other people inside the gym told police they thought Medley pulled the trigger multiple times, but the gun did not fire. Some witnesses described the gun as jammed, and others said Medley appeared to be fumbling with it while the victim and nearby gym-goers scattered. A 911 caller told dispatch he tried to follow the fleeing man but lost sight of him as the suspect ran down State Road 434. Police later said Medley was spotted leaving in a car, starting a short search that ended when officers located him near a McDonald’s in Winter Springs.
In interviews with police, Medley provided few details about what happened, according to the arrest report. Officers wrote that he told them he does not “play” with firearms. At one point, the report says, he claimed the object in his hand was a “king-size Snickers bar.” Investigators also said he refused to disclose where the gun went after the confrontation, which became a key issue in the case. Police say they were not able to recover the weapon as they documented the arrest, and they accused Medley of trying to keep evidence from investigators.
Medley was booked on charges that include attempted first-degree murder, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and tampering with evidence. Authorities described him in reporting tied to the arrest as a multi-time convicted felon, a status that would make it illegal for him to carry a firearm. The attempted murder allegation centers on the claim that he pointed the gun at close range and appeared to attempt to fire as the victim ran. Police say no one was shot and no injuries were reported, but they treated the case as a near miss in a crowded business.
Investigators are still working to confirm the gun’s location, whether it was functional, and what caused it not to discharge. In the arrest narrative, officers relied heavily on witness accounts, including statements from people who said they watched Medley pull the trigger and then work the gun as if it were stuck. The victim’s description of running through the gym, fearing he would be shot in the back, is also a central part of the probable-cause summary. Detectives will likely compare statements from multiple people who were in the room to determine whether details match about where Medley stood, how close he was to the victim, and how long the confrontation lasted.
The scene unfolded quickly in a place where people typically wear headphones and focus on their own workouts, making it easy for a dispute to build without much warning. Some gym members later described the moment as chaotic as they tried to figure out whether the threat was real, where to run, and whether anyone had been hit. Police say the victim’s sprint away from Medley likely reduced the chance of injury, but witnesses told investigators they believed the suspect was trying to shoot as others fled around cardio machines and weight stations.
Crunch Fitness, in a statement reported by local outlets, said it cooperated with law enforcement and that the safety of members and staff is its highest priority. Police did not announce any changes to the gym’s operations, but officers used the case to underscore the seriousness of bringing a gun into a public business during a dispute. The Altamonte Springs Police Department has not publicly released video from inside the gym, and investigators have not described any surveillance footage they may have obtained. The arrest report focuses on what witnesses said and what officers observed during the search that ended with Medley’s detention.
Legal steps in the case will likely move through Seminole County court in the coming days as prosecutors decide how to proceed with formal filings and whether additional charges are warranted. Because the attempted murder allegation is a serious felony, Medley can remain in custody as the court schedules an initial appearance and later hearings. Detectives are expected to continue interviewing witnesses and attempting to locate the gun, an item that could become critical evidence if it is recovered and tested. The investigation remains open, and police have not said whether they believe anyone else helped hide the weapon.
For now, the case stands as a stark example of how a minor confrontation can escalate into fear in a public setting. A short exchange about weightlifting, investigators say, led to a threat that sent people running and triggered a 911 call as the suspect fled down a major roadway. Police say the victim did not know Medley before the encounter and had tried to end the argument before the gun was pulled. Medley’s alleged comments, including the “weak” remark and later statements to officers, are expected to be weighed alongside witness accounts as the court process continues.
As of Friday, Medley remained held without bond while police continued to seek the gun and review evidence from inside and outside the gym. The next milestone is expected to be a court hearing in Seminole County as prosecutors outline the case and investigators provide updates on the missing weapon.
Author note: Last updated February 20, 2026.