HomeCrimeGainesville man arrested for carrying a gun during attack on Dollar Tree employees

Gainesville man arrested for carrying a gun during attack on Dollar Tree employees

April 21, 2023

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Malachi Nehemiah Knight, 22, was arrested yesterday and charged with organized dealing in stolen property and carrying a concealed firearm without a permit after officers responded to a report of several teenage juveniles with guns attacking an employee of the Dollar Tree at 1723 S. Main Street.

Gainesville Police Department officers responded to a call about an armed disturbance at the store at about 2:55 p.m. and made contact with Knight. Officers reportedly noticed that his arm was hanging awkwardly near his crotch and that as he moved to hide behind a store display, he continued to attempt to shield his crotch from view. Officers also reportedly noticed an “odd bulge” near his waistline.

An officer asked Knight if he had a gun, and he reportedly said he did not. As officers conducted a pat down, Knight reportedly tried to pull away, but officers felt a pistol tucked in his pants and pulled out a 9mm pistol with 13 rounds of ammunition. The pistol had previously been reported stolen.

Post Miranda, Knight reportedly said he bought the gun on the street for $200, but he would not say where, when, or from whom he bought it.

Knight has a juvenile criminal history and has three previous arrests for battery, aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, and property damage, but all the charges were dropped. Judge Thomas Jaworski set bail at $200,000 with a requirement that Knight be fitted for a GPS monitor.

A GPD spokesman said that officers are working on identifying and charging other suspects in the case.

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. 

  • Another POS who will never learn how to be a normal human being. Maybe he and his wants be posse were trying to boost tourism like the teens did in Chicago. Sooner or later a group like this will find an armed store clerk and the tables will get turned.

  • Sure they noticed the alien on his head before they noticed the “odd bulge” near his waistline.
    It’s not surprising one can mention thief and liar in the same sentence. He’s proof of that.
    The frightening part is the time of day this happened.

    If you’re legally able, best be prepared to protect yourself and your family. Think of it like having car or homeowners’s insurance…best to have it if you need it than not.

    • The Silker The Hair The Better They Are !!!#SilkyHairPeopleAreBetter

      • That is probably the stupidest and racist comment I’ve read yet on this website. Way to make idiotic assumptions off of hair texture. I guess it’s okay since it isn’t skin color per say, right?

  • Y’all always talk about someone’s hair I swear there a lot of hidden racists in Gainesville a lot of talk behind computers lol

    • You’re one of those people who would look for something racist in a glass of water.

      • How ? It’s Not Something You Have To Look For It’s In Plain Sight … Sounda Like Reverse Psychology To Me 😂😂 #SmartOne .

    • They be quick to defend their racist tendencies…like they don’t even try to discreet or nun #BLM4L

      • I didnt say any thing about his hairdo. All I’m saying is these dumbass groups that run around acting like a pack of rabid dogs need to go. They are cowards and meows because they never can fight or do anything one on one. Sooner or later the group will meet the individual who is legally armed and then you will have a bunch of teens who never learned right from wrong dead. All the BML advocates and liberal will scream racism because someone choose not to play GTA or Boyz in the hood that day.

  • When “y’all” wear absurd looking things on top of your heads what do you expect? It’s absurd to call people commenting about someone who looks like he’s wearing a dead octopus on top of his head racist.

    PS you seem to be “talking behind’ your computer too there simple one.

  • Okay I’ve read all comments. What is the solution? This man has a long life ahead of him, and obviously the “Village Idea” didn’t work. I hope most will agree it takes “A Family”. Even if he goes to jail he will be back. How can his life be turned around? No, I am not soft on crime. Any positive ideas.

  • I bet if “someone w hair like that looked up IP addresses and shared the real names and addresses behind some of these screen names they wouldn’t be so bold!

    • What are you trying to say or imply? That these idiots would come to our homes.

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