Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Devon Junior McCarthy, 29, was arrested late last night after allegedly pulling a knife on two men in the locker room of a gym.

Close to 11:35 p.m. on August 25, an officer from the Gainesville Police Department arrived at Crunch Fitness (2002 SW 34th Street) after one of the victims reported that he and another victim were in the locker room when McCarthy started yelling at them. Initially, the first victim wasn’t sure if McCarthy was addressing him, but McCarthy eventually made eye contact with both victims, confirming his targeted outburst.

The victims described how McCarthy advanced towards them, pulling a knife from his pocket and opening the blade while repeatedly threatening, “I’m gonna smoke you,” and brandishing the weapon. The first victim felt compelled to take a significant step back, fearing potential stabbing from McCarthy.

The second victim recounted that the confrontation started when McCarthy exited the restroom area and noticed the victims glancing in his direction; he became agitated, questioned their gaze, then escalated to verbal aggression, drew a knife, opened it, and moved toward them.

A witness told the officer he didn’t see McCarthy brandish the knife but heard someone shouting, “I’m gonna smoke you” several times.

The officer found McCarthy in the sauna inside the locker room; a search incident to arrest reportedly produced a black pocket knife in his pocket.

McCarthy claimed that the incident was purely verbal, explaining he frequents the gym late to steer clear of people who “always mess with him.” He insisted he hadn’t encountered the victims before but accused them of name-calling and harassment.

Post Miranda, McCarthy declined to answer questions.

McCarthy has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Previously, in March, McCarthy faced arrest for threatening his mother’s neighbor with a shotgun. At that point, he served as a correctional officer, but he recently mentioned working for just a day at a cleaning company to Court Services. Judge James Colaw initially refused a request from the State Attorney’s Office to detain him without bail before trial, setting bail at $100,000. McCarthy’s lawyer petitioned for a bail reduction, citing his inability to afford the amount and the need for medical and mental health care, prompting Judge Colaw to lower bail to $15,000. Released on bail, McCarthy entered a nolo contendere plea for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on July 17. This plea agreement enrolled him in a Veteran’s Court program; adherence to the program for 12 months would withhold a formal guilt judgment, avoiding jail or probation. However, any new legal infractions would convert the plea to an open plea, allowing a judge to determine sentencing.

Aside from this March charge, McCarthy possesses no criminal background. Judge Meshon Rawls ordered his detention without bail until a decision on the State Attorney’s request to hold him without bail until trial; if declined, bail will be evaluated during the hearing.

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.