Gainesville man arrested for injuring one woman and threatening a second woman with a knife

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Lavonta Omar Beasley, 33, was arrested early this morning after allegedly injuring one woman and threatening a second woman with a knife.

At about 10:14 p.m. on January 18, Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call about an armed disturbance; deputies contacted the two victims at an emergency room and reported that the domestic battery victim had swelling to both eyes, a laceration on her face, and bruising.

The second victim said the domestic battery victim had called her, crying hysterically, and she heard a physical fight between Beasley and the domestic battery victim and then drove to the domestic battery victim’s home to help her and her children. The second victim said that when she arrived, Beasley lifted his shirt and showed her a knife in his waistband. She said Beasley grabbed the knife and walked toward her, holding the knife, causing her to fear for her life; she said she was able to persuade him to back off, and he left the residence.

Beasley was later apprehended by deputies. Post Miranda, he reportedly said he hit the domestic battery victim one time because she hit him first.

Beasley has been charged with domestic battery with bodily harm and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His full criminal history is unavailable because of the holiday, but he has served two state prison sentences for five felonies out of Escambia County; he was most recently released in March 2025 after serving a four-year sentence for cocaine trafficking. Judge Sean Brewer set bail at $50,000.

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.