Man faces life sentence for attempted murder of Leesburg officer

A Leesburg man is facing a life sentence for a 2019 case in which he opened fire on a Leesburg police officer.  

A jury found Donaven Leon Owens, 24, guilty of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, attempted first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a delinquent. The verdict followed a thorough legal process spanning from the time of the incident in December 2019 to this past Wednesday, according to the State Attorney’s Office.   

“The Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office commends the bravery and dedication of the law enforcement officers involved in this dangerous case,” said William “Bill” Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “Furthermore, we extend our appreciation to the community for their vigilance and thank those jurors for bringing this case to a just conclusion. Individuals with a lengthy and dangerous criminal history, like Owens, are a danger to our community and should not be able to roam freely victimizing others.” 

On the afternoon of Dec. 19, 2019, a string of vehicle burglaries led residents of an undisclosed Leesburg neighborhood to be suspicious of the behavior of the then 20-year-old Owens. The situation escalated when Owens, who matched the description of the suspect in prior burglaries, was confronted by a homeowner who previously had a firearm stolen from their vehicle, the SAO said. 

Owens pulled a loaded handgun from his backpack, saying “I’ll give you what I owe you.” He pointed the firearm directly at the victim’s chest and pulled the trigger, but the gun jammed. Fearing for their life, the victim escaped and called law enforcement while Owens repeatedly tried to dislodge the jam and fire again, the SAO said.  

Senior Officer Mark Johnson, then 31, arrived on scene and spotted Owens about three blocks away walking on Glen Ridge Drive, according to an arrest report from LPD. As he exited his patrol vehicle, Owens pulled out the handgun and started shooting at him. Bullets struck Johnson’s vehicle in the hood and windshield, and he returned fire.  

While seeking cover, Johnson fell backward and struck his head on the pavement. Owens then abandoned the empty firearm under a vehicle and fled the scene toward Shamrock Lounge on U.S. Hwy. 441 with Johnson chasing him on foot. He also called out on his police radio that shots had been fired, the report said. 

Other officers converged on the area, one of which struck Owens with his patrol car in an attempt to stop him. But he still continued to flee across the highway and was eventually apprehended in a nearby field, the report said. 

Neither Johnson nor Owens were struck during the exchange of gunfire, but Johnson’s head was bleeding heavily. He was transported to the Leesburg Regional Medical Center where he was treated and released with a concussion, the report said. 

Once Owens was medically cleared, he was booked at Lake County Jail. The original charges included attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault with a firearm, use/display of a firearm during a felony, carrying a concealed unlicensed firearm and resisting an officer without violence.