Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gainesville police arrested 28-year-old Chadrick Rodell Smith Jr. early Friday after he allegedly struck a 65-year-old woman with a metal trash can lid during a dispute over noise while he was trying to sleep.
A Gainesville Police Department officer was called at about 1:10 a.m. on August 22 to the Rosa Parks Transfer Station at 700 SE 3rd Street. According to the report, Smith, the victim, and a witness had been attempting to sleep on nearby benches.
The victim told police she had gotten up to use the restroom when a man came toward her and the witness in an aggressive manner. She said he then picked up a metal trash can lid and threw it, striking her in the shoulder.
The witness reportedly gave a similar account, telling the officer the man appeared very upset before grabbing the trash can lid and throwing it at the victim. Both the victim and the witness said they did not know him.
Smith reportedly told police he had been trying to sleep but became angry because the victim and witness were making noise. According to the arrest report, he admitted picking up the trash can lid and throwing it at the witness.
Smith, who is homeless and was trespassed indefinitely from GRACE Marketplace in June 2025, was charged with aggravated battery on a victim over the age of 65. Court records list three non-violent felony convictions and six non-violent misdemeanor convictions. He recently served 49 days in the Alachua County Jail for trespassing at GRACE after a warning and was released in early July. Judge Adam Lee set his bail at $20,000 in the new case.
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.
