GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Christopher Akiva Jenkins, 53, was arrested early Monday after police said he threatened two family members with a hammer.
At approximately 5:18 a.m. on November 9, a 16-year-old girl called 911 and reported that Jenkins had attempted to strike her and an adult woman inside their apartment. The adult victim told police Jenkins had been drinking and making threats against both of them.
Officers with the Gainesville Police Department arrived and escorted the victims from the residence. Jenkins allegedly ignored repeated commands to leave the apartment.
According to the victims, they share one room in the apartment while Jenkins occupies another. They said Jenkins entered their room Monday morning and began arguing with them. He allegedly leaned over the teenage girl and pressed his fist against her jaw. The girl reportedly punched him in the stomach to force him away.
Jenkins allegedly left the room but returned moments later carrying a hammer. Police said he threatened both victims while swinging the tool as though he intended to hit them. The victims told officers they feared Jenkins would attack them.
Jenkins allegedly remained inside the apartment for about 30 minutes, opening the front door several times to shout at officers. Around 5:50 a.m., he eventually stepped outside. Officers ordered him to lie on the ground, but police said he refused until an officer deployed a Taser.
Jenkins consented to a search of his room, where officers reportedly found a hammer.
Jenkins faces two counts of domestic aggravated assault, domestic battery and resisting an officer without violence. His record includes one nonviolent felony conviction and one violent misdemeanor conviction. He previously served a state prison sentence and was released in 2023. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set his bail at $200,000.