GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Two people were arrested Tuesday after Gainesville police said a dispute over money escalated into an alleged shooting. Gwennesha Marrkenya Demps, 32, and Rahim Arthur Henderson, 50, are accused of confronting a man after Demps allegedly demanded money from him. Henderson faces an attempted homicide charge, while Demps has been charged with armed robbery and additional offenses.
According to a Gainesville Police Department officer, Demps and the victim met on September 13 intending to pool their money to purchase drugs. Police said the planned purchase did not happen, leading to an argument over the cash. The victim told officers he tried to leave, but Demps allegedly followed him for roughly 10 blocks while repeatedly demanding that he hand over the money. He said he refused because he believed the money belonged to him.
During the encounter, Demps allegedly picked up a small stick, described as a “switch,” and struck the man in the face. Police reported that the victim’s injuries appeared consistent with being hit by a small stick.
The victim continued walking away and would not give Demps the money, according to the report. He told police that Demps then called Henderson, identified as her boyfriend, and gave him their location. When the victim told her to leave him alone, Demps allegedly responded that Henderson was coming and would “take care of it.”
Henderson allegedly arrived as Demps and the victim were on NE 1st Avenue between NE 15th Street and NE 16th Street. Surveillance video reportedly shows Henderson stepping into the roadway about two feet in front of the pair and telling the victim to stop. A muzzle flash is then visible on the footage, police said, followed by the sound of one gunshot. The victim said Henderson fired at him but missed.
Fearing for his life, the victim said he ran from the area and used a convenience store phone to call 911 because he did not have a phone of his own. He was able to identify Henderson and tell officers where he lived. Police went to Henderson’s residence, used a public-address system to order him outside, and took him into custody. Demps was also inside the home and allegedly declined to come out despite “numerous” commands before she was ultimately arrested.
After receiving Miranda warnings, Demps reportedly told officers that she had met the victim to combine their money for drugs. When they could not make the purchase, she said she wanted her money returned and the victim refused. Police said she admitted following him, striking him with a “switch,” and calling Henderson to help recover the money. Demps reportedly said she was present when Henderson confronted the victim but looked away when the gun went off.
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Following his Miranda warning, Henderson reportedly declined to speak with investigators.
In the arrest report, an officer wrote that Demps appeared to believe the victim had taken her money and contacted Henderson to retrieve it. The officer alleged that Henderson used a gun to threaten the victim in an effort to get the money back before firing at him.
Police also reported finding a pistol in plain view on the driver’s seat of a vehicle parked outside Henderson’s home. Although the vehicle is registered to a family member, Demps reportedly told officers that Henderson usually drives it.
Demps has been charged with armed robbery, simple battery, and resisting an officer without violence. She has one felony conviction (non-violent) and five misdemeanor convictions (one violent). Judge Lua Lepianka ordered her held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold her without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.
Henderson has been charged with attempted first-degree homicide, attempted armed robbery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He has 20 felony convictions (two violent) and 13 misdemeanor convictions (one violent), and he is facing a sworn complaint for resisting an officer without violence on August 21. He has served four state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2017. Judge Lua Lepianka ordered him held without bail 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.