A 28-year-old Dunnellon man was arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office after he was accused of attacking a woman during an argument over a lawnmower.
On Tuesday, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a local residence in reference to a verbal disturbance. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with Gabriel Baez Gist who advised that he had gotten into an altercation with the female victim.
Gist told the deputy that he was outside of the residence “listening to music and drinking a few beers,” and he then headed back inside to take a shower. He advised that the victim began asking him about fixing the lawnmower to cut the grass, and he responded by stating that the repairs would be too expensive.
According to Gist, an argument ensued that became physical. He claimed that he held the victim down during the altercation and “struck her to get her to stop fighting.”
Gist advised that the victim then ran out of the residence to contact law enforcement.
The deputy made contact with the victim who had “visible injuries to her head and foot,” according to the MCSO report. The victim confirmed that she had asked Gist to fix the lawnmower, and he had told her that the repairs would cost approximately $300.
According to the victim, Gist then proceeded to get loud and “raised his fist aggressively” at her while allegedly threatening to kill her. She told the deputy that she locked herself inside a bedroom.
The victim stated that Gist began aggressively pounding on the door. She advised that when she opened the door, Gist allegedly pinned her to the ground and attacked her.
During the incident, the victim stated that Gist placed his knee on her neck while he struck her on the head. The deputy noted in the report that the victim had visible injuries on her forehead that were consistent with the victim’s statement.
The victim told the deputy that her breathing was cut off while Gist’s knee was on her neck, and she felt like she was going to pass out. In an effort to defend herself, the victim stated that she scratched Gist, and the deputy noted in the report that marks consistent with the victim’s statement were visible on Gist.
The victim stated that she was unable to reach her cellphone to contact law enforcement during the incident. She advised that she was finally able to get up when Gist’s spouse intervened, and the victim ran out of the home and contacted law enforcement.
In the MCSO report, the deputy noted that Gist appeared to be the primary aggressor in the altercation. Gist was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held without bond. He is facing felony charges for committing domestic battery by strangulation and false imprisonment of an adult, along with a misdemeanor charge for battery.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.