Man on probation arrested for chasing family member while holding a metal BB gun

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Charles C. Bryant Jr., 26, was arrested yesterday after allegedly chasing a family member while holding a metal BB gun.

At about 8:05 p.m. on June 7, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to The Polos and encountered Bryant outside; Bryant reportedly told an officer he did not chase the victim with the BB gun, but the officer noted that law enforcement officers had not asked any questions yet.

Post Miranda, Bryant reportedly said he and the victim got into a verbal argument that escalated into a physical fight; he said the victim hit him, and he fell on the ground. He said at first that nobody saw this happen, but he later changed his story and said a witness, another family member, separated him from the victim. He said that after they were separated, he grabbed the metal BB gun to scare the victim, knowing it could cause great bodily harm.

Bryant was reportedly bleeding from a cyst that was broken during the physical fight.

Post Miranda, the victim reportedly said he and Bryant got into a verbal argument that escalated into a physical fight; he said he let go of the victim, and the witness separated them. After they were separated, he said, Bryant grabbed the metal BB gun and said he was going to hit the victim with it. The victim said he was in fear for his safety because he knew the metal gun could cause great bodily harm. He said he ran out of the apartment, and Bryant chased him outside, holding the BB gun; he said he quickly called 911.

The victim reportedly had visible scratch marks from the physical fight.

The witness reportedly said the two men had argued, the argument became physical, and she pulled the victim off of Bryant. She said Bryant grabbed the metal BB gun and chased the victim. She confirmed that the blood on Bryant’s face came from a cyst that was scratched during the physical fight.

The officer reported that the metal BB gun was the size of an AR15 or a baseball bat.

Bryant has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He has one felony conviction (non-violent) and one misdemeanor conviction (violent); he is on probation for fleeing with lights and sirens active in a December 2023 incident. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $50,000 and ordered him to find an alternate residence.

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.