Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jeffrey Lawrence Gehringer, 52, was arrested yesterday and charged with simple assault and property damage after allegedly damaging a screen door and trying to attack a man.

At about 6:21 p.m. last night, Gainesville Police Department officers responded to the 700 block of NW 7th Street following a call about property damage and an alleged attack.

The property owner told the officer that when he arrived, Gehringer was drinking on his property, which he described as “not unusual.” However, he said that when he got out of his car, Gehringer became angry and started kicking the front screen door of his residence. The property owner said Gehringer dented the door to the point that it would not close properly. He said Gehringer then started yelling that he was going to beat people up and hurt people. A second man told the officer he saw Gehringer kicking the door and told him to stop.

Gehringer allegedly ran toward the second man and tried to hit him; he allegedly swung at the man multiple times and tried to grab him, but the victim ran inside. The man reportedly told the officer that Gehringer kept saying he wanted to hurt people. The first victim reportedly told the officer that he saw Gehringer trying to attack the second victim.

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The officer reported that Gehringer stated in front of two officers that he wanted to hurt people and fight people.

Post Miranda, Gehringer reportedly said he did not kick the door and did not attack the second victim. He reportedly said he was mentally unstable and had been drinking.

Gehringer has four felony convictions (one violent) and nine misdemeanor convictions (one violent). He has no previous local arrests or convictions; court documents do not indicate how long he has been in the area, but the arrest report describes him as homeless and lists no address for him. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $10,000.

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.