By Staff Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Christopher Xavier Tyson, 50, found himself in handcuffs early this morning following an incident involving a firearm that left a neighbor fearing for their safety. The arrest took place in the Holly Heights neighborhood.
A local resident, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted the unsettling encounter to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy. While out for a stroll with his dog, the neighbor claimed he encountered Tyson. During this meeting, Tyson appeared to be speaking incoherently, and at one point, allegedly brandished a gun, racking the slide while maintaining eye contact with the neighbor. This action left the neighbor feeling threatened for his personal safety and that of the community. Tyson reportedly then lowered the gun and retreated into his home.
This wasn’t the first troubling interaction between the two. The neighbor also reported that just days earlier, Tyson had shown him the same firearm, accompanied by a menacing statement: “I want you to see this [expletive].”
After being read his Miranda rights, Tyson apparently told authorities he had purchased the firearm three days prior for self-defense purposes. He claimed his neighbor harbors ill intentions toward him and suggested the call to law enforcement was a ploy to gain access to his home. Tyson firmly denied any accusations of using the firearm in a threatening way.
According to the deputy’s observations, Tyson appeared to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the arrest.
A search warrant for Tyson’s home was obtained, and deputies reportedly recovered a black semi-automatic handgun and a silver pellet gun.
Tyson has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He has one felony conviction (violent) and two misdemeanor convictions (non-violent). Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $10,000 and ordered him to have no contact with the victim, possess no firearms, and consume no alcohol or illegal drugs.
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.
