Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Malik Tyree Smith, 28, was arrested yesterday and charged with aggravated battery on a person over 65 after allegedly punching a stranger at the Rosa Parks Transfer Station.

The victim, a 69-year-old woman, told a Gainesville Police Department Officer that she was sitting on a bench at the bus station at about 7:15 a.m. yesterday when Smith walked up; she said she didn’t know Smith and was afraid he was going to rob her, so she asked him to leave and not bother her. She said Smith asked her, “Do you want me to give you a reason (to call the police)?” and punched her in the head with a closed fist.

The officer made contact with Smith about 50 feet away from the victim. Post Miranda, Smith reportedly said he and the victim had a verbal argument and that the victim was being verbally aggressive. He reportedly said he “lost his cool” and asked the victim if she wanted him to give her a reason, and when she “kept speaking aggressively” and telling him not to stand over her, he “mushed” her on the side of her head with his finger.

Smith was reportedly identified with his South Carolina ID card. According to court documents, he is homeless and has been in Alachua County for about a month. He has one felony conviction (one violent) and three misdemeanor convictions (none violent). He has served one state prison sentence for aggravated assault out of Putnam County and was released in 2019. He has a pending traffic case in Alachua County for driving without a valid license and an active warrant out of Duval County. Judge Bo Bayer set bail at $20,000.

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.