In the early hours of January 1st, a disturbing incident unfolded in Gainesville, Florida, leading to the arrest of Thomas Lamont Sanford. The 44-year-old is accused of stabbing a man and assaulting a woman during a heated confrontation.

At approximately 7:07 a.m., an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to a local residence following reports of a stabbing. Upon arrival, three individuals emerged from the house, informing the deputy that Sanford remained inside, armed with a knife. Although the individuals involved share the same residence, authorities have clarified that the incident does not qualify as domestic violence since Sanford does not have a domestic relationship with any of them.

Details of the altercation reveal that the male victim intervened upon hearing an argument between Sanford and the female victim in the kitchen. Sanford allegedly threatened to “kill everyone and won’t be found,” prompting the male victim to step in to protect the woman. In the ensuing chaos, Sanford reportedly armed himself with a machete-sized knife, while the male victim grabbed a smaller kitchen knife out of fear. Sanford is accused of striking the male victim’s leg with the machete’s sharp edge, and further assaulting him by hitting him on the head and hurling him across a table. The deputy’s report confirmed the male victim sustained a two-inch laceration and fresh scratches from the attack.

Additionally, the male victim stated that Sanford pushed the female victim as she attempted to assist him with his injuries. However, Sanford was unable to leave the scene before law enforcement arrived, eventually retreating to his room as the deputy took control of the situation.

The male victim also reportedly said that he saw Sanford push the female victim while she was trying to tend to his injuries, but Sanford was not able to push past the female victim before the deputy arrived and Sanford went into his room.

The female victim said she and Sanford had been arguing in the kitchen when the male victim came out of his bedroom to protect her. She said Sanford “tapped” the side of the male victim’s leg and then pushed him down. She said she and the male victim went into the bathroom to clean up the blood on the male victim, and Sanford came into the bathroom, trying to get to the male victim. She said Sanford pushed her, but she did not move, so Sanford “shoved” her, still unsuccessfully trying to get to the male victim. She said the deputy arrived at that point, and Sanford went into his bedroom.

A witness said she had been asleep when she woke up to hear arguing and screams coming from the kitchen. She said she looked out to see someone “fly across the table,” and then the female victim said the male victim had been stabbed. She said she told everyone to “chill out” and took the knife from Sanford, who “took off in his room.”

The deputy issued commands to Sanford to come out of the residence, but he allegedly did not come outside. Eventually, a K-9 team brought him out of the residence.

Sanford has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, felony battery with prior battery convictions, and resisting an officer without violence. He has three felony convictions (non-violent) and nine misdemeanor convictions (three violent); he has served one state prison sentence and was released in 2009. He is currently on probation for drug possession. Judge Adam Lee 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.