GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a troubling incident that unfolded yesterday, 22-year-old Johnnie Lee Tindell Jr. found himself in police custody, accused of stalking and threatening the lives of both a former girlfriend and a restaurant manager.
The events began around 4:30 p.m. on April 23 when a Gainesville Police Department officer was dispatched to a local restaurant. There, the officer met with the victim, who reported being threatened by Tindell. According to the victim, who had recently ended a relationship with Tindell, he became irate after viewing images of her with other men on her social media accounts. In a disturbing turn, Tindell allegedly threatened to shoot her in the face. The situation escalated as Tindell reportedly bombarded the victim with over 50 phone calls from various numbers, continuously circumventing her attempts to block his calls.
Amidst this tense backdrop, Tindell allegedly began calling the main line of the victim’s workplace, demanding to speak with the manager. The manager attempted to intervene, instructing Tindell to cease his personal calls to the business. This only provoked Tindell further, as he reportedly threatened to visit the restaurant and harm the owner. His relentless calls, over 50 in total from different numbers, disrupted the restaurant’s ability to take orders, further intensifying the distress of the employees.
The victim expressed genuine fear for her life, citing Tindell’s possession of a firearm as a substantial reason for her concern.
In a dramatic development, Tindell appeared at the restaurant, visibly agitated, to confront the officer. He voiced his fears of facing felony charges, which would strip him of his right to own firearms—a pastime he enjoys. Tindell reportedly declared his intention to “rack up felonies like his father” and prove his South Florida roots, a remark that underscored the gravity of his threats.
The officer reported that Tindell came to the restaurant to speak with him, and when he arrived, he was very upset and said he was going to get back at all the people who had made allegations against him. He said he was worried that he would be charged with a felony because he enjoys shooting guns and would no longer be able to own a gun if he were convicted; he reportedly added that he was going to have to “rack up felonies like his father and show everyone that he is from south Florida.”
Tindell has been charged with making a written threat to kill and two counts of aggravated stalking. He has no criminal history, and Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
