Reported by Staff

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a troubling incident that unfolded in Gainesville, Lekesha Marshuan Grant, aged 45, was taken into custody on charges of aggravated battery. She is accused of intentionally colliding her vehicle with another car, whose driver was a senior citizen over the age of 65.

The events transpired on November 15, 2025, around 11:18 a.m., when a deputy from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, attending to an unrelated matter at Copeland Park, was alerted by a witness. The witness reported observing a woman in a white Mazda SUV rear-end another vehicle before speeding away. The deputy, now on the lookout for the Mazda, was approached by the 71-year-old victim. He identified Grant as the driver involved in the incident.

According to the victim, an argument had erupted between him and Grant. After he left the scene, Grant allegedly tracked him down at Copeland Park. She reportedly exited her vehicle, resumed the argument, and escalated the confrontation by striking him in the face multiple times with her cell phone. Following this, she returned to her car and reversed it into his vehicle while he was still inside.

Efforts to locate Grant at her home by the deputy and Gainesville Police officers proved unsuccessful. However, Grant later contacted the victim and requested to speak with the deputy. During the conversation, she initially denied hitting the victim with her phone but then admitted to attempting it, citing her short stature as the reason she failed. She was elusive about her whereabouts and initially denied the vehicular collision, only to later concede she was aware of the impact, evidenced by damage to her taillight. Despite this admission, Grant was defiant, telling the deputy she had no intention of returning voluntarily to discuss the matter and stated she was not going to jail.

The deputy filed a sworn complaint charging Grant with battery on a victim over 65, aggravated battery on a victim over 65, and misdemeanor property damage. A warrant for her arrest was issued on December 22, and Judge Denise Ferrero set bail at $27,000; she was arrested on January 5. Grant’s full criminal history is unavailable, but she has at least five convictions on battery or assault charges, along with at least 11 dropped battery or assault charges dating back to 1998.

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.