Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a bold incident unfolding in the early hours, Reginald Tremaine Thomas, age 42, faces serious charges for allegedly breaching a domestic violence injunction and committing armed trespass. Thomas purportedly used an old house key to gain unauthorized entry to the victim’s residence while carrying a firearm.
The situation came to a head around 12:42 a.m. on August 3, when officers from the Gainesville Police Department were dispatched to the scene. According to reports, Thomas entered the home and, with a silver gun in hand, advanced toward the victim’s male friend. This prompted the male friend to escape through the back door. Authorities have confirmed that an active injunction specifically forbids Thomas from any contact with the victim.
Despite the tense encounter, the victim relayed that Thomas did not aim the firearm at her. Instead, his focus was directed toward her male friend. Interestingly, the friend chose not to cooperate with law enforcement and expressed no desire to press charges.
An officer involved in the case remarked on an earlier visit to the residence on the same day. However, Thomas had vacated the premises prior to the officer’s arrival, adding another layer to the unfolding narrative.
Thomas has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, armed trespassing, and violating an injunction. He has six felony convictions (one violent) and four misdemeanor convictions (non-violent); he has served one state prison sentence and was released in 2008. He is being held on $180,000 bail.
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.