Update, July 29, 2019: The charge of aggravated assault has been dismissed from Jinming Chen's record due to insufficient evidence to sustain a conviction, according to a court document obtained by The Alligator.
UF student Jinming Chen, 20, was arrested by the Gainesville Police Department on Saturday after threatening his roommate with a butcher knife, according to a GPD arrest report.
Chen was cutting vegetables in his apartment kitchen, located at 1000 SW 62nd Blvd., when he became increasingly angry with his roommate and accused him of stealing food from the shared refrigerator, according to the arrest report.
Chen damaged the kitchen countertop and doors to the laundry room with the butcher knife. Chen confronted his roommate about the food theft with the butcher knife in hand. The roommate became fearful for his life and left the apartment, according to the report.
Under questioning, Chen admitted to holding the butcher knife while arguing with his roommate, but said he had no intention of causing any harm. A witness to the incident said Chen was not holding the knife in a threatening manner.
Chen was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. Chen was released on his own recognizance on Sunday. The Alligator was able to reach Chen, who declined to comment until “after the incident has been solved.”
