By the Staff

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 19-year-old named Anthony Autore found himself in handcuffs yesterday following allegations of assaulting a colleague and brandishing a “hyper realistic” BB gun during the confrontation.

On the afternoon of January 26, at approximately 4:43 p.m., officers from the Gainesville Police Department were called to a Wendy’s on SW Archer Road. According to reports, an argument erupted between Autore and a fellow employee. Tensions escalated when Autore allegedly instructed the victim to cease speaking. In response, the victim reportedly threatened to slap Autore and challenged him to step outside.

According to police accounts, Autore then reached for a backpack and pulled out what appeared to be a real gun—a “brown hyper realistic Glock pistol replica BB gun”—instilling fear in the victim. A struggle ensued over the gun and the backpack, during which Autore is accused of striking the victim in the groin and kicking his legs. The altercation reportedly ended when the victim managed to seize the backpack, leading both parties to separate.

After being read his rights, Autore allegedly acknowledged the verbal spat, admitting he felt demeaned by the victim’s words. In an attempt to intimidate, he said he produced the BB gun but claimed he never had any intention of using it to harm the victim.

Autore has been charged with battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He has no criminal history, and Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him released on his own recognizance with a GPS monitor and a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. except for work and school purposes.

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.