Man arrested for hitting visitor to neighbor’s apartment with baseball bat

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Richard Leon Smith, 67, was arrested yesterday for allegedly hitting a visitor to a neighbor’s apartment in the head and arm with an aluminum baseball bat.

At about 3:08 p.m. on March 8, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to Bailey Village (1307 NW 6th St.), where a man who lives across from Smith in the complex said a friend (the victim) was visiting him when Smith walked up and started yelling at him. The victim reportedly asked Smith what the problem was and followed Smith as Smith walked back toward his own apartment.

The victim was reportedly standing in the grassy area between the buildings when Smith went into his own apartment and came out with an aluminum bat. Smith allegedly went over to the victim and hit him three times in the head and three times in the arm with the bat. The victim reportedly fell to the ground, sustained a knot on his head, and required a medical evaluation from EMS. The victim was reportedly unarmed during the incident.

Three witnesses reportedly told the officer they saw Smith hitting the victim with the bat. One witness reportedly said Smith routinely carries a bat around and “is always making threats.”

Post Miranda, Smith reportedly said the victim “came at him” and he defended himself; he admitted swinging the bat at the victim and hitting him three times in the head and arm.

The officer reportedly found an aluminum bat just inside Smith’s front door.

Smith has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He has no local criminal history except an arrest in 2021 for allegedly brandishing a knife at another panhandler; the charges were later dropped because the victim’s description of Smith and the weapon did not match his clothing or his knife. Judge Donna Keim set bail at $50,000.

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.