Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Khalil Keari Barnett, 29, was taken into custody last night after reportedly assaulting a woman and then disposing of a loaded gun and drugs while escaping from law enforcement officers.

An officer from the Alachua County Sheriff’s department stated that around 9:21 p.m. on August 7, the victim’s mother contacted 911 to report that Barnett was assaulting the victim. Upon arriving at the home on SW 17th Place in the Tower Oaks neighborhood, the officer discovered that Barnett had already left the scene.

Deputies later located Barnett near SW 17th Road and SW 74th Drive. When they attempted to apprehend him, he allegedly fled and was seen tossing away a gun and a large quantity of marijuana. Eventually, they apprehended him.

During the arrest, a search allegedly yielded approximately 16.4 grams of marijuana and a box of ammunition containing 13 bullets on Barnett. Along his escape route, officers reportedly found a Glock 42 loaded with six rounds and a bag containing more than a pound of marijuana.

After receiving his Miranda rights, Barnett allegedly stated that he and the victim had a verbal dispute that did not turn physical, although he later admitted acting on impulse to push the victim away. He claimed he ran to avoid a domestic charge and fled when he saw deputies because he recognized it as a sign he was about to be jailed. Barnett also reportedly confessed that the discarded marijuana was his, asserting it was for personal use due to his habitual marijuana consumption.

Barnett was arrested about 600 feet from a child care facility and about 800 feet from a school.

Barnett faces charges including possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a school or childcare facility, two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during a felony, tampering with evidence, battery with a prior conviction (a felony), and non-violent resistance to law enforcement. His criminal record reveals juvenile convictions from 2008 to 2014, one adult felony conviction (non-violent), and four adult misdemeanor convictions (one violent). He previously served a state prison sentence and was released in 2021. Judge Kristine Van Vorst set his bail at $256,000 for the charges, though she asked for further probable cause regarding the evidence tampering charge.

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.