LACROSSE – A 19-year-old La Crosse man was arrested after deputies say he threatened to kill three juveniles while armed with a knife during a domestic disturbance.
According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, deputies responded to a residence at about 5:01 p.m. on July 18 after a witness reported receiving a phone call from one of the juveniles, who said Samarrian Barton had become angry and was threatening to “kill the family.”
Deputies interviewed three juveniles, ranging in age from 11 to 15, who were inside the home when the incident allegedly occurred.
One of the victims told deputies that he and the other two juveniles were together in a room when Barton entered, visibly upset, with clenched fists and a knife in one hand. The juvenile said Barton threatened to “stomp” on them and “stomp” on their necks, causing him to fear Barton would use the knife to hurt them.
The same juvenile told deputies he called a witness after hearing Barton tell someone during a phone conversation that he was going to kill the entire family.
A second juvenile said he had been hiding behind a door when Barton entered the room carrying a knife. According to the report, the child told deputies he feared Barton would “attack” them. When a deputy asked what he meant by “attack,” the juvenile responded, “Stab us.”
The third juvenile also told investigators he believed Barton was going to stab them with the knife. He described the weapon as having a wide black handle with ridges.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Barton denied the allegations, according to the arrest report. He reportedly told deputies he never entered the room where the juveniles were gathered and never possessed a knife. He said he had only yelled at the juveniles through a wall.
Barton was charged with three counts of child abuse without great bodily harm.
According to court records, Barton has no local adult criminal history.
Judge Phillip Pena set Barton’s bond at $150,000.
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