Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Tabitha Latoya Gissendanner, 32, was arrested early this morning and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and domestic battery after allegedly threatening a romantic rival with a knife.

Last night, Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call about an armed disturbance at the Baymont Inn and Suites at 6901 NW 4th Blvd. Their investigation found that Gissendanner arrived at the motel at about 9 p.m. and had a verbal fight with her boyfriend that allegedly turned physical when she began bumping him.

Deputies who reviewed the motel’s surveillance video reported that at about 9:10 p.m., Gissendanner could be seen chasing a female victim into a room; it looked like she was holding something in her hand, but the video quality was too poor to identify the object.

Gissendanner’s boyfriend reportedly said she produced a small pocket knife and ran toward the female victim with the knife raised; he said she was mad at the woman because he is romantically involved with both of them.

Read Related Also: 4 Dead in Stolen Vehicle Involved in Fiery Crash After Fleeing Police

The female victim reportedly said she saw some of the altercation between Gissendanner and her boyfriend, and then Gissendanner charged at her with a pocket knife. She said she ran into her room and closed the door behind her.

Two independent witnesses reportedly said they saw Gissendanner chasing the female victim with a knife.

Post Miranda, Gissendanner reportedly said she did not threaten anyone and never touched anyone.

Gissendanner has 11 felony convictions (none violent) and three misdemeanor convictions (one violent). Four battery or assault charges against her have been dropped since 2020. She is currently on probation for cocaine possession; she was also charged with aggravated assault with a knife in that case, but the charge was later dropped. Judge Thomas Jaworski set bail at $150,000.

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.