Investigators say the handgun never fired and has not been recovered.
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — A man accused of trying to shoot another gym member during an argument at a Crunch Fitness in Altamonte Springs is jailed without bond as police search for the gun they say he used and then tried to conceal after fleeing the scene.
Authorities say Winston Medley, 35, pulled a firearm from his waistband inside the gym and pointed it at a victim after a confrontation that began with a comment about weightlifting. The case matters because it combines a public, crowded location with a weapon that investigators say was handled in a way that suggested an attempted shooting. Police say the gun did not discharge, but they believe the suspect tried to fire. They also say he ran from the business, drove away and later gave shifting explanations that included claiming the object was a candy bar.
The incident happened Tuesday at the Crunch Fitness along State Road 434, a major corridor in Seminole County. Officers responded after calls reporting a disturbance involving a firearm. Inside, investigators say, gym members were in the middle of workouts when Medley approached a group and criticized the amount of weight they were using, calling them “weak.” A brief argument followed, but it appeared to end when Medley walked away and the group relocated to another area to continue exercising.
According to the arrest report, Medley returned minutes later and repeatedly challenged the victim, asking whether he “had a problem with him.” The victim told police he tried to defuse the situation and said he did not have a problem, but that Medley was acting aggressively. Police say the confrontation escalated when Medley pulled out a handgun, pointed it toward the victim’s face and advanced close enough that the victim believed he was about to be shot. The victim turned and ran through the gym, later telling investigators he feared he would be shot in the back.
Witnesses described seeing Medley manipulate the gun as the victim fled. In the report, officers said people inside the gym believed Medley pulled the trigger, but the weapon did not fire. Some described the gun as jammed, and others said Medley seemed to be trying to make it work while gym-goers scattered away from the shooting threat. A 911 caller told dispatch he attempted to keep the suspect in sight as he ran outside, but lost him along State Road 434. The caller’s account, paired with multiple witness statements, helped police establish the direction of travel and the urgency of the search.
Police say the suspect fled the area and got into a vehicle. Officers later located Medley near a McDonald’s in Winter Springs, a short drive from the gym. In interviews, he reportedly refused to provide many details about what happened. The arrest report says Medley told officers he does not “play” with firearms. Investigators wrote that he also offered an odd explanation about what he had been holding, claiming at one point it was a “king-size Snickers bar.” Officers interpreted the shifting comments and refusal to disclose the weapon’s location as an attempt to obstruct the investigation.
The missing gun now sits at the center of the case, both as potential physical evidence and as a question about public safety. Police have not said they recovered the weapon during the arrest or subsequent searches. Investigators accuse Medley of tampering with evidence, arguing he disposed of, hid or otherwise kept the gun from law enforcement after the confrontation. Without the weapon, authorities rely on witness descriptions, the victim’s account and any potential surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras that may show the suspect’s movements after he left the gym.
Medley faces charges that include attempted first-degree murder, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and tampering with evidence. Authorities have described him in reporting tied to the arrest as a multi-time convicted felon, which would bar him from legally possessing a firearm. The attempted murder allegation is based on the claim he pointed the gun at close range and appeared to attempt to fire. Even though no one was shot, prosecutors often treat attempted shootings in public places as high-risk events because of the potential for injuries, panic and the chance of stray bullets in a crowded room.
The case also highlights the challenge of investigating gun crimes when the weapon is quickly removed from the scene. If police recover the gun, they could test whether it was operable, whether there was a malfunction, and whether there is physical evidence that supports witness accounts. If it is not recovered, the state may still pursue charges using testimony, 911 audio and other records, but the absence of the weapon can become a point of dispute in court. Investigators have not publicly described any ballistic evidence, shell casings or other physical indicators of firing, consistent with witness reports that the gun never discharged.
In statements reported by local outlets, gym members described lingering unease after the incident, with some saying they felt safer previously because workouts usually keep people focused on themselves. Crunch Fitness said it cooperated with police and emphasized member and staff safety, while law enforcement credited quick reporting and follow-up that led to Medley’s arrest after he drove away. Police have not said whether the victim knew Medley before Tuesday or whether there had been prior friction between them, and the arrest report frames the argument as a sudden dispute between gym members.
Next steps will move through the Seminole County court system, where Medley is expected to face an early hearing as prosecutors formally outline allegations and review conditions of detention. Investigators are expected to keep working to locate the firearm and to re-interview witnesses to pin down details such as distance, timing and exactly what was said as the confrontation escalated. Police have not announced any additional suspects, and they have not said whether they believe the gun was passed to someone else or discarded during the flight from the gym.
As of Friday, Medley remained jailed without bond while the investigation continued and officers tried to determine what happened to the missing gun. The next milestone is expected in Seminole County court, where the case will be scheduled for initial proceedings and prosecutors may provide more detail on evidence and the timeline.
Author note: Last updated February 20, 2026.