Staff report
LACROSSE, Fla. – A 19-year-old man was arrested Friday after deputies say he threatened to kill three juveniles while armed with a knife.
According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was called to a home at about 5:01 p.m. on July 18 after a witness reported that one of the children had contacted her and said Samarrian Barton was upset and had threatened to “kill the family.”
One victim told the deputy that he and two other juveniles, who are between 11 and 15 years old, were in a room when Barton came in visibly angry, with his hands clenched and a knife in one hand. The victim reportedly said Barton threatened to “stomp” on them and “stomp” on their necks. He said he feared Barton would hurt them with the knife and called the witness after hearing Barton tell someone on the phone that he was going to kill the whole family.
A second victim reportedly told the deputy he was hiding behind the door when Barton entered the room holding the knife. He said he was afraid Barton would “attack” them with it, and when asked to explain what he meant, he answered, “Stab us.”
The third juvenile also told investigators he believed Barton was going to stab them. He described the knife as having a wide black handle with ridges.
After being read his Miranda rights, Barton reportedly denied entering the room where the juveniles were and denied having a knife. He allegedly told the deputy that he only yelled at the children through a wall.
Barton was charged with three counts of child abuse without great bodily harm. Court records indicate he has no local adult criminal history. Judge Phillip Pena set his bail at $150,000.
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.
