Nine-Hour Standoff in CountryWay Town Square Ends with Newberry Man’s Arrest

A nine-hour standoff with Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies in CountryWay Town Square on September 2 culminated in the arrest of 44-year-old Newberry resident Earnest Lee Coleman Jr. Authorities found Coleman hiding in the attic of a residence after he allegedly attacked and threatened a 73-year-old woman.

The incident began on the evening of September 1, when deputies responded to a battery report in the Jonesville area. The victim told investigators that an argument with Coleman on August 31 escalated into a physical attack. According to the arrest report, Coleman allegedly threatened her with a firearm, took her phone, and prevented her from leaving the residence. The woman reported the incident continued into the following day, during which Coleman appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. She eventually escaped and contacted law enforcement from a nearby family member’s home. Deputies observed bruising on the woman consistent with her account.

Investigators identified a residence in the 24600 block of Southwest 21st Circle in CountryWay Town Square as Coleman's suspected location. Deputies established a perimeter and used a public address system to order him out, but he did not respond. Authorities confirmed Coleman was inside and believed he was armed and had access to multiple firearms. The Sheriff’s Office activated its SWAT Team, Bomb Squad, K-9 teams, and Criminal Investigations Division. The Alachua County Fire Rescue Drone Team also responded, and nearby residents were evacuated as authorities worked to resolve the situation.

Over the next nine hours, deputies attempted to get Coleman to surrender. Authorities deployed a Bomb Squad robot into the residence, while the SWAT Team used distraction devices and chemical agents. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Florida Highway Patrol Drone Team assisted in the operation. During the standoff, investigators obtained arrest and search warrants for Coleman.

The arrest report states deputies eventually found Coleman “strategically hiding inside of the attic of the home in a fortified position.” They took him into custody at about 9:20 a.m. on September 2 without further incident.

Coleman faces charges of battery on a person 65 or older, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Court records indicate Coleman has one prior felony conviction and one misdemeanor conviction, including a previous conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also on pretrial release in Union County for charges of trespassing and resisting an officer without violence. Judge Joy Danne ordered Coleman held without bail pending a hearing on a motion by the State Attorney’s Office to detain him without bail until trial. If the court denies that motion, bail will be determined at the hearing.

The charges are accusations, and Coleman is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.