Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jeffrey Scott Wallace, 40, was taken into custody yesterday after authorities said he pointed a rifle at two people during a June 21 encounter near Massey (Westside) Park. He was also booked on outstanding warrants tied to missed court hearings in two unrelated cases.
According to the allegations, the incident happened at about 6:53 a.m. on June 21, when Wallace pointed a rifle at two victims near the park. The victims told police that Wallace threatened to kill the male victim and also made threatening remarks toward the female victim as she walked away. Both reported that they feared for their lives.
After the male victim called 911, Wallace allegedly left the area on an e-bike while officers pursued him with lights and sirens activated. Police said Wallace later ran away on foot, abandoning both the e-bike and the rifle.
Wallace was arrested June 29 near the same park, and officers reportedly found multiple items of drug paraphernalia during a search conducted after his arrest.
Court records describe Wallace as homeless. He now faces charges of two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, fleeing while lights and sirens were activated, resisting an officer without violence, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was additionally arrested on warrants alleging he failed to appear for court hearings in earlier cases involving drug and shoplifting charges.
Wallace has seven prior felony convictions, all listed as non-violent, along with three non-violent misdemeanor convictions. He has served one state prison sentence and was released in 2022. Judge Joy Danne set his bail at $325,000.
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.
