Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – David Alec Summers, 44, was arrested yesterday for allegedly threatening a man with a machete on the Depot Park Trail.

According to the responding Gainesville Police Department officer, both Summers and the victim were traveling eastbound on the Depot Park Trail (627 SW Depot Avenue) at about 11:51 a.m. on September 10; the victim was on a motorized scooter, and Summers was on a bicycle.

As the victim approached a group of pedestrians, he moved to go around them, forcing Summers to swerve out of the way onto the grass. Summers and the victim started arguing, and Summers allegedly pulled a machete from his bicycle and took an aggressive stance while pulling the machete from its sheath; he also allegedly directed slurs at the victim. The victim said he was afraid he would be harmed when Summers raised the machete above his head, and he fled on his scooter.

Summers, whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and violating probation. He has two felony convictions (non-violent) and 17 misdemeanor convictions (two violent).

Summers was arrested in January for stalking a homeless woman and throwing a flashlight at a second woman. He entered a plea of nolo contendere to battery (the stalking charge was dropped), and on April 22, Judge Kristine Van Vorst sentenced him to 84 days in jail with credit for 84 days served, followed by a year on probation. He failed to report to his probation officer after his release; on May 5, a probation violation affidavit was filed, and on July 30, a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was arrested on August 8, and on August 19, Judge Aymer “Buck” Curtin reinstated his probation with a requirement for day reporting; he also changed the requirement to take an Anger Management course to a requirement to get a mental health evaluation and follow the recommended treatment plan.

Summers again failed to report to his probation officer after his release, and another warrant for his arrest was issued on September 5.

A sworn complaint was also filed against Summers for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he allegedly threw a rock at a tent on November 11, 2024, hitting a victim in the head, and then stood over two people, holding a large rock and saying, “There is going to be a homicide tonight,” “Have you ever been to the trauma unit?” and “I will kill you.” Those charges were dropped in February.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered Summers held without bail until the probation violation case is resolved, and she ordered him held without bail on the new aggravated assault charge, pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.

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.