Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities arrested Anthony Pernell Collins, Jr., 25, after he was accused of assaulting a fellow homeless individual with a hefty broomstick and a pointed, metallic object. The incident left the victim needing 10 stitches.

At about 5:30 p.m. on April 28, Collins allegedly approached the victim, who was inside a tent in the 900 block of NE 31st Avenue, near the Highland Estates neighborhood. Collins reportedly told the victim it was a “hit tent” and the victim needed to leave immediately. As the victim left the tent, Collins allegedly hit the victim with a thick broomstick handle, leaving the victim dazed. The victim told a responding Gainesville Police Department officer that he looked up and saw Collins swinging a sharp silver object that “glistened in the light,” and when he put up his hand to block the strike, his hand was cut.

The officer reported that the victim suffered a black eye, several lacerations on his face, and a four-inch cut on his hand that required 10 stitches.

Collins was arrested at GRACE Marketplace (3055 NE 28th Drive) at about 3:15 p.m. on May 1, and a search incident to arrest reportedly produced a small baggie containing 0.4 grams of a rock-like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Post Miranda, Collins reportedly said the victim tried to hit him with a silver water canteen, so he hit the victim with a thick broomstick. When the officer asked about the large cut on the victim’s hand, Collins reportedly said the end of the broomstick might have cut the victim’s hand; he added that the victim fell back into a fire pit that contained sharp objects. He reportedly said the rock-like substance was “ice.”

Collins, whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, has been charged with aggravated battery and possession of a controlled substance. He has two felony convictions (non-violent) and 13 misdemeanor convictions (non-violent), all since 2022. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $85,000.

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.