Staff Report
NEWBERRY, Fla. – An 18-year-old named Jackell A. Harris was taken into custody yesterday after reportedly threatening a woman with a knife when she tried to wake him for school.
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office responded to an incident at Brookside Apartments, located at 100 NW 146th Drive, around 11 a.m. on May 5. According to the victim, Harris reacted violently when she attempted to wake him up, allegedly leaping from his bed and declaring he was “about to snap in here.” Harris then reportedly went to the kitchen and grabbed a butcher knife, threatening harm to himself and others.
The victim, in fear for her safety, retreated to her bedroom and shut the door as Harris allegedly approached with the knife. Harris is accused of stabbing the door while shouting threats to kill her.
A witness present in the apartment corroborated the victim’s account, stating he was in the bedroom when she hurried in and closed the door. He confirmed hearing Harris stabbing the door and making threats. Upon realizing the victim was calling 911, Harris reportedly left the premises.
Upon arrival, the deputy observed damage to the bedroom door consistent with stabbing and discovered a large butcher knife on the stairs near the apartment’s entrance.
Harris was later arrested in the 4100 block of SW 34th Street.
Harris, who attends an alternative charter school, has been charged with domestic aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He has no criminal history. Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that 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.
