A West Palm Beach man is headed to state prison for three decades after a violent 2024 struggle over a police officer’s gun inside a Racetrac convenience store ended with the officer in the hospital and prosecutors pushing for the toughest penalties Florida allows.
On Friday, June 5, 2026, a judge sentenced Brandon McCray to 30 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a slate of felonies tied to the March 8, 2024 confrontation. The officer was hurt during a fight over her duty weapon and was treated at St. Mary’s Medical Center. The judge imposed the sentence under a prison-release reoffender designation that carries mandatory enhancements.
Prosecutors say McCray pleaded guilty to robbery with a weapon, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, burglary of a structure, being a felon in possession of a firearm and related counts. He was sentenced as a prison-release reoffender to a 30-year term. The case was handled by Assistant State Attorney Jocelyn Watkins of the 10-20-life robbery unit, as reported by WPBF.
Why the prison-release reoffender label matters
Florida’s Prison-Release Reoffender (PRR) statute lets prosecutors seek enhanced or mandatory minimum terms when a qualifying felony is committed while an offender is still serving a prison sentence, on escape status, or within three years of release. The rule is codified in Florida Statutes Section 775.082, which sharply narrows judicial discretion in sentencing for qualifying cases.
Critics say the so-called "two-strikes" law has produced decades-long terms for non-homicide offenses, a trend documented by The Marshall Project. Supporters, meanwhile, argue that tough penalties are necessary when someone reoffends so soon after leaving prison.
How the attack unfolded
According to the arrest report reviewed by prosecutors, the officer approached McCray after store staff at the Racetrac on 45th Street reported someone stealing cigarettes and liquor. What began as a theft call quickly escalated.
The two struggled over the officer’s Taser and service weapon. After the officer tased McCray, he allegedly struck her four times in the head with the Taser, broke free, and rode off on a bicycle with her handgun. The officer fired at him but did not hit him. Responding units later took McCray into custody, and the officer was treated and released from St. Mary’s Medical Center, as reported by WPBF.
Sentence and aftermath
At sentencing, the judge applied the PRR enhancement, a move prosecutors said was warranted based on McCray’s prior record and the violent nature of the encounter inside the store.
McCray, described in reports as homeless, will serve the 30-year term in state prison. The West Palm Beach Police Department investigated the case, and no immediate statement from the defense was available.
