Staff Report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A troubling incident unfolded yesterday as Zion Motheus Ward, aged 23, found himself under arrest following accusations of sending a threatening text message to a former girlfriend. The message, allegedly sent on August 8, ominously warned, “ima shoot you and yo baby,” directed at both the woman and her unborn child.

The woman, understandably shaken, reported the threat to authorities, expressing a deep-seated fear for her safety and that of her unborn baby. Her concern was compounded by Ward’s history of violence and his capacity to act on such threats.

As a result of these allegations, Ward faces charges of making a written threat to kill. Additionally, he has been booked on a separate warrant related to a probation violation.

Ward’s legal troubles aren’t new. In September 2024, he was apprehended on charges of domestic battery and false imprisonment, though the latter was eventually dismissed. Following a plea of nolo contendere on the domestic battery charge, Judge William Davis sentenced him to a year of probation, withholding adjudication of guilt. In August 2025, Ward sought early termination of his probation. However, complications arose when the victim reported to his probation officer that Ward had engaged in hostile interactions with her in July and had allegedly stolen money. This prompted the issuance of a warrant for his arrest on September 4.

Judge Jonathan Ramsey ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.

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.