Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gordon Jay Burnstein, 63, was arrested yesterday and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly threatening another man with a machete.

At about 6:30 p.m., a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to a victim who had been sitting at a picnic table along a trail near the 300 block of NW 10th Avenue; the victim said a man walked up to him and yelled, “Who are you?” When the victim did not respond, the man allegedly said, “I guess I have to prove myself” and picked up a “sword.” The victim said he was afraid and backed away from the picnic table, then the man walked away as an officer arrived.

The officer reported that she had been conducting a trespassing investigation involving Burnstein when she heard yelling and saw Burnstein holding an 18-inch machete and yelling at the victim, who was backing away. She wrote that Burnstein raised his arm several times toward the victim, but when he saw the officer, he quickly hid the machete, which was later found.

Post Miranda, Burnstein reportedly denied having a machete and said it was only a wooden stick.

Burnstein is an advocate for the homeless who has started three nonprofits in recent years – Gimme Shelter, Homeless American Tribal Enterprise, and Homeless American Tribal Enterprises; none are currently active. He often speaks about homeless issues at local government meetings, saying he is an expert who should be consulted on homeless policies.

Burnstein has two felony convictions in other counties (none violent). Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $75,000 and ordered a mental health evaluation.

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.