Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Ebony Nicole Herron, age 38, faces charges for allegedly threatening a resident of Gardenia Gardens with a weapon resembling an “AR-style” gun in December 2023.

According to a detective from the Gainesville Police Department, the incident took place at 7:40 p.m. on December 4, 2023. Two women were engaged in an argument at Gardenia Gardens when Herron interjected, beginning a dispute with one of them. The victim recalled stepping in to prevent the situation from worsening and was subsequently confronted by Herron. According to the victim, Herron re-entered her apartment, returned with an “AR-style” firearm, and aimed it at her, threatening, “Shut your [expletive] up. I will shoot you!” The victim stated that she and a witness then left the area and contacted the authorities.

Both the victim and witness recognized Herron due to her employment as a maintenance worker at Gardenia Gardens. They later identified her to the detective when she passed by on a golf cart.

At the time of the incident, Herron was facing a sworn complaint for domestic battery, but those charges were dropped in early 2024.

A warrant for Herron’s arrest was issued on April 30, 2025, and she was arrested at her residence on May 21.

Herron has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She has two felony convictions (non-violent) and two misdemeanor convictions (non-violent). Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail at $50,000.

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.