In Gainesville, Florida, a heated dispute over a homeless encampment led to the arrest of 52-year-old Joseph Martin Turns Jr. Accused of striking another man with a fence post, Turns faces serious allegations following the altercation.
The incident unfolded around 4:35 p.m. on the 500 block of NE Waldo Road. Police officers from the Gainesville Police Department responded to the scene after reports of a confrontation. The argument reportedly centered around land ownership and the presence of a homeless encampment. Turns is alleged to have demanded that the other man vacate what he claimed was his property, to which the man refused.
Amid the escalating argument, Turns allegedly picked up a six-foot-long wooden fence post and hurled it towards the man, striking him in the face. The victim was left with multiple facial cuts as a result of the attack.
According to reports, a witness observed the assault and intervened to separate the two men, preventing the situation from potentially worsening. This incident highlights the tensions that can arise over property disputes, especially in areas where homeless encampments are present.
A witness reportedly saw Turns throw the fence post at the victim, and he ran over to separate the two men.
Post Miranda, Turns reportedly said his father gave him the land, and he had the right to defend his property. He said the victim pointed a gun at him before he threw the fence post, but he was unable to describe the gun except to say it was black.
The victim denied possessing a gun during the incident, and the witness said he never saw a gun.
Turns, whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He has five felony convictions (non-violent) and three misdemeanor convictions (three violent), and he has a Notice to Appear on a charge of illegal possession of a shopping cart. Judge Joy Danne set bail at $5,000.
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.