Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In an unsettling incident last night, 71-year-old Joseph Ryan found himself on the wrong side of the law, facing arrest allegations for threatening his long-time partner with harm, using a rock as a weapon.
Responding just before 11 p.m. on August 16, a Gainesville Police Department officer arrived at the Shell station situated at 3831 NW 13th Street. The victim had contacted authorities from this location to report Ryan’s threatening behavior.
According to the victim, their romantic entanglement with Ryan spans 18 years, but has been marred by a long history of violence. On the evening of the incident, the victim and Ryan were joined by two witnesses near the gas station. Despite initial apprehensions, the group’s mood seemed to lighten after they began consuming alcoholic drinks, leading the victim to believe the situation would remain peaceful.
This peace was shattered when the victim, seeking an end to the relationship, reportedly conveyed his intentions to Ryan. In a sudden turn, Ryan allegedly erupted in anger, snatching an object from the ground and threatening the victim’s life. The victim claims Ryan raised his hand as if to hurl the object, prompting a desperate dash into the gas station to seek help. Fearful for his safety, the victim urged the employees to alert 911, convinced that Ryan meant to carry out his threat.
One witness reportedly said Ryan started yelling after the victim said he wanted to break up, and then Ryan picked up a rock and said he would kill the victim. When the victim ran away, Ryan dropped the rock. This witness pointed to the rock, which the officer described as “a little larger than a softball.”
The second witness was reportedly difficult to understand but said he did not see anyone grab a rock or make any threats; however, as they spoke, he reportedly became less confident and said he didn’t recall anyone picking up a rock.
Post Miranda, Ryan reportedly denied that anything physical happened; he said he and the victim simply argued, and he said he never picked up a rock. He said the victim and the first witness were conspiring against him because they wanted him in jail.
Ryan, a designated Career Offender whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, has been charged with domestic aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He has 14 felony convictions (seven violent) and 13 misdemeanor convictions (non-violent); he has served nine state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2024. He was most recently arrested on July 16 for domestic battery against the same victim as this case, but the charges were dropped on August 10, and he was released. Judge Joy Danne set bail at $10,000 on the new charge.
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.