Gainesville man arrested for threatening to kill his brother with butcher knives

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Willie Sallett, Jr., 65, was arrested yesterday after allegedly threatening to kill his brother with butcher knives.

At about 6:11 p.m. on November 21, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to a call about an armed disturbance in the 1900 block of SE 14th Avenue. The victim said he had gone over to Sallett’s residence because another resident of the house called him and said Sallett had been bullying the “household.”

The victim said that while he was at the house, Sallett arrived and started asking him for money the victim him; the victim said he walked away, and Sallett “began to get in his face” and said he would “drag him.” The victim said Sallett said, “Let’s go outside” and then picked up two butcher knives, causing the victim to fear for his life.

A witness said she was talking to the victim when Sallett arrived at the house and that Sallett immediately told the victim he would call “the bloods on him” and “drag him around.” She said she told them to go outside, and Sallett went into the kitchen and grabbed two knives before going outside with the victim.

A second witness said she had been outside the house when she saw Sallett walking out backwards, holding two knives and saying he was going to “kill this motherf***** multiple times.” She said the victim followed, telling Sallett to put down the knives. She said she pleaded with Sallett to not kill his brother, and then the officer arrived.

Post Miranda, Sallett reportedly did not want to answer any questions.

Sallett has two felony convictions (non-violent) and two misdemeanor convictions (non-violent); he has served one state prison term and was released in 2012.

Sallett has been charged with domestic aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and violation of a permanent domestic violence injunction against the victim. Judge Kristine Van Vorst ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion to hold him without bail until trial.

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.