Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Bryan Edmond Hunt, 52, was arrested on Saturday and charged with attempted homicide after allegedly trying to strangle his 79-year-old mother.

At about 12:57 p.m. on January 4, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to a call from the victim, who reportedly said that after she refused to give Hunt money, he said he would kill her and then put a pillow over her face while she was lying in bed. She said she was in fear for her life and could not breathe, but she fought for her life and was able to get up after she kicked Hunt.

The victim said Hunt grabbed her by the neck with both hands and choked her, so she could not breathe and almost blacked out. She grabbed a phone, barricaded herself in a bathroom, and called 911.

The officer reported that Hunt fled before he arrived, and Hunt was arrested later in the day.

The victim reportedly suffered bruising and lacerations and possibly a broken wrist; she was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Hunt has one misdemeanor conviction (non-violent). He was charged with stalking in 2021 after allegedly climbing on a neighbor’s fence and yelling into their backyard many times over multiple years. A case manager “voiced concerns” about Hunt’s competency to participate in the Mental Health Court program, and the charges were later dropped.

Hunt is being held without bail, pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial.

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.