Gainesville woman arrested for battering woman in a store and then threatening her with a gun

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Deborah Ann Dunkley, 65, was arrested yesterday for allegedly battering a woman in an Asian market and then threatening her with a gun and a “bat” that may have been a cane.

At about 7:49 p.m. on June 29, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to Enson Market (3045 SW 34th Street), where two witnesses said Dunkley came up behind the victim and hit her in the back three times with a large, black metal object, causing significant bruising and swelling.

Dunkley fled to her vehicle and then allegedly displayed a blue “baseball bat” in a threatening manner toward the victim, who was now outside the store, and then displayed a gray-colored handgun and said she was not done harassing the victim. The victim was in fear for her safety when she saw the “baseball bat” and firearm. Dunkley left the area in her vehicle.

The first witness, a store employee, reportedly said she saw Dunkley hit the victim in the back with a black metal object. The second witness said she was talking to the victim when Dunkley approached from the rear and hit the victim in the back three times with a large, black metal object; this witness also saw Dunkley display a blue “baseball bat” outside and shake it at the victim in a threatening manner.

Post Miranda, Dunkley reportedly admitted to punching the victim inside the store because of ongoing disputes with the victim. She denied ever flashing a bat or firearm at the victim.

The officer reported that a blue cane was found in Dunkley’s vehicle after she was located at her apartment complex. The officer also noted that Dunkley and the victim live in the same apartment complex and have known each other for about seven months.

Dunkley has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She has no criminal convictions, and Judge Joy Danne set bail at $25,000.

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.