Homeless woman arrested for allegedly stabbing GRACE Marketplace resident

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Natalie Noel Lewis, 26, was arrested early this morning and charged with aggravated battery, trespass after warning, and resisting arrest after allegedly stabbing a woman in a bathroom at GRACE Marketplace.

The victim told a Gainesville Police Department officer that she was in the women’s bathroom at GRACE Marketplace at about 12:40 a.m. today when Lewis entered and began arguing with her. The victim said that Lewis began to advance toward her and then grabbed what appeared to be a silver knife from her bag. Lewis then allegedly lunged forward and stabbed the victim in her forearm. The victim said she pushed Lewis away, and Lewis left the bathroom. The officer reported that he saw a small puncture wound in the victim’s arm, and a witness confirmed the victim’s account of the stabbing.

Lewis was formally trespassed by officers but allegedly refused to leave the property. The decision was finally made to arrest her, and Lewis allegedly pulled her arms away and tried to put her arms under her body to avoid being handcuffed. She was finally handcuffed and arrested.

After the arrest, the victim decided to press charges for the stabbing.

Lewis was arrested in May for allegedly trying to burn down an occupied home and was released on July 14 because no charges were filed within 40 days. That charge was dropped today. Lewis is being held on bail of $12,000 on the new charges.

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.