Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Daren Gary Smith, 56, was arrested last night and charged with four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of child abuse, and resisting arrest after allegedly pulling a knife on four people at the northeast Walmart.

At about 8:30 p.m. last night, a Gainesville Police Department officer was approached by four people, two of whom were juveniles, who said Smith had followed them and pulled a knife on them. The victims reportedly pointed to Smith, who was walking away quickly in the parking lot of the Walmart at 1800 NE 12th Avenue.

The officer noted that Smith was wearing a black hoodie with red trim and drove toward him, giving him verbal commands to “Come here.” Smith allegedly ignored the commands and ran from the officer, who chased him to 1900 NE 10th Avenue. The officer reported that he tried to deploy his Taser because he believed Smith was armed with a knife, but it was unsuccessful.

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A K-9 search found the black hoodie behind a church at 1900 NE 8th Avenue, and Smith was reportedly found in front of the church; he was positively identified by all four victims.

Smith was reportedly uncooperative but spontaneously said he was defending himself.

Smith is on pre-trial release in another case in which he is accused of pulling a knife on someone, and a sworn complaint for trespassing was recently filed against him. Bail information is unavailable because documents are not posted in cases involving child abuse.

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.