Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a startling incident in Gainesville, 19-year-old Chelsea Maranda Whigham from Newberry found herself in police custody after allegedly making threats to stab another woman.
A Gainesville Police officer on the scene reported that Whigham and the alleged victim were strangers, each visiting separate acquaintances at a non-disclosed apartment complex during the event.
Around 7:48 p.m. on August 12, a dispute between Whigham and the other woman reportedly escalated. Whigham allegedly entered her friend’s apartment, reappearing with a kitchen knife, and repeatedly threatened the victim, declaring her intent to stab.
The victim recounted to authorities that Whigham, utilizing profanities, held the knife aloft in a menacing manner. According to the victim, a pursuit ensued for about 20 yards until she sought refuge in a relative’s apartment, while Whigham vacated the vicinity before law enforcement could intervene.
When an officer contacted Whigham by phone, she reportedly said, “Yes, I had a knife. I’m not going to lie.”
A witness reportedly told an officer that Whigham had a knife in her hand while actively “chasing” the victim and threatening to stab her.
Post Miranda, Whigham reportedly admitted to going into an apartment and grabbing a kitchen knife, then walking outside and yelling, “I’m going to stab you” at the victim multiple times; she admitted to walking toward the victim and threatening to batter the victim.
Whigham has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She has a juvenile conviction from 2024, and she is out on bond after an arrest for felony battery in Leon County in April. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $50,000.
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.