Staff report
LACROSSE, Fla. – In a shocking incident, 19-year-old Samarrian Barton found himself behind bars after allegedly brandishing a knife and making threats against three minors.
Shortly after 5 p.m. on July 18, an officer from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrived at a residence. A witness had been called by one of the victims, who relayed that Barton had erupted in anger and issued threats to “kill the family.”
According to one of the frightened juveniles, aged between 11 and 15, Barton stormed into the room they were in, furious and clenching a knife. His threats to “stomp” on them and harm their necks left them fearing for their safety. The situation escalated as Barton allegedly talked on the phone about his intentions to harm the entire family, prompting the victim to reach out to a witness for help.
Another victim, hiding precariously behind the door during Barton’s intrusion, expressed terror at the sight of Barton wielding a knife. When asked for clarification, the victim said they feared being stabbed.
The third victim also said he was afraid Barton was going to stab them with the knife. He described the knife as having a wide black handle with ridges.
Post Miranda, Barton reportedly said he never went into the room where the victims were, and he never had a knife; he said he only yelled at the juveniles through the wall.
Barton has been charged with three counts of child abuse without great bodily harm. He has no local adult criminal history, and Judge Phillip Pena set bail at $150,000.
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.