Man arrested for attack that left roommate in critical condition

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Samuel Bernard Donton, 38, was arrested early this morning for allegedly attacking his 74-year-old roommate, leaving him in critical condition.

At about 5:47 a.m. on October 13, Gainesville Police Department officers and EMS responded to Campus Walk Apartments (914 SW 8th Avenue), where the victim was found lying in a large pool of blood and transported to a hospital in critical condition.

The investigation found that another roommate heard Donton and the victim arguing in the hall, so he went outside and told them to break it up; he said that he found the victim with a head injury a short time later and called 911.

Surveillance video reportedly showed Donton and the victim arguing, and then the victim turned and walked away. Donton allegedly followed the victim, wrapped his arm around the victim’s neck, and tried to pull him to the ground. The victim fell to his knees, and Donton allegedly turned the victim and smashed the victim’s head into the ground multiple times.

Donton has been charged with aggravated battery on a person over 65. He has two felony convictions (one violent) and 14 misdemeanor convictions (five violent), and Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $150,000, the amount set by Judge David Kreider in the arrest warrant.

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.