Woman on probation arrested for deploying pepper spray into crowd at Boys & Girls Club
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Shera Jenkins, 36, was arrested yesterday after allegedly deploying pepper spray into a crowd that included children at the Boys & Girls Club on NW 51st Street.
At about 7:51 p.m. on September 30, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a call about suspicious activity at the Boys & Girls Club (5100 NW 27th Avenue). While he was on the way, he learned that someone had deployed pepper spray into a crowd that had formed, including several juveniles.
Witnesses reportedly provided a description of the woman who had deployed the pepper spray, and one witness provided a picture of the suspect, confirming that Jenkins was the suspect.
Post Miranda, Jenkins said she was trying to separate her son from an argument that was about to become physical. She denied possessing pepper spray and said she has never owned pepper spray.
A parent wanted to press charges because his 12-year-old son had been pepper-sprayed, and the deputy noted that the boy “obviously appeared to be under the effects of pepper spray deployment.”
Jenkins has been charged with child abuse without great bodily harm. She has three felony convictions (non-violent) and seven misdemeanor convictions (two violent); she is on probation for grand theft out of Orange County. She was previously charged with three counts of child abuse without great bodily harm in a 2023 case, but the child abuse charges were dropped, and she was convicted on two counts of disorderly conduct in that case. Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $15,000 on the new charge.
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.
Her name is She-Ra?!?! As in “Princess Of Power” She-Ra? That’s actually pretty cool!
What a reckless way of trying to stop a commotion. There is no sense of the greater good here, she assaulted several people without consideration and caused harm to minors. Based on her prior charges, she has a clear history of bad choices with multiple felonies and misdemeanors including crimes against children. On top of that she should get an obstruction charge for lying about the pepper spray. It is a good thing she didn’t have a gun or it could have been worse given her history and lack of judgement and maturity. Maybe teach your kid(s) to walk away instead of fighting.
$15,000 bail for potential harm to children. Judge is an idiot.
I didn’t think Mama Bears liked bear spray?
Where was Papa Bear while all this commotion was happening?
Ramsey again with a low bond! Cant wait to file the State complaint against you and the other asswad judges here!
There was a barrel of them that night. They trash every parking lot in the area with their fast food bags and cups every night there is a game. Keep spraying. At least no one got shot right?