By Staff Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A local man, Skylar Andrew Stone, 43, was taken into custody on Sunday, facing charges of aggravated assault after reportedly using a golf club to threaten another panhandler during an argument over the selection of lanes.

At approximately 11 a.m. on October 19, deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene in the 7300 block of West Newberry Road. A concerned passerby had dialed 911 to report a man wielding a golf club in a threatening manner. The caller provided authorities with a description of the suspect.

Upon arrival, deputies encountered Stone alongside the victim, with Stone in possession of the golf club. Observations from the deputies indicated that Stone was exhibiting signs of agitation and hostility toward the victim.

The victim recounted that the pair had been engaged in a discussion about which lanes to use for panhandling when the conversation escalated into a heated argument. According to the victim, Stone then fetched a golf club from his belongings and brandished it in a threatening manner.

Stone reportedly said he had used the golf club in self-defense, but witnesses reportedly said Stone was the aggressor.

Stone, whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He has one felony conviction (non-violent) and seven misdemeanor convictions (non-violent), and Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $10,000 and ordered that he be screened for Mental Health Court.

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.