Public Safety

Gainesville man arrested after pepper-spraying family at pet store on NW 13th Street

A 75-year-old Gainesville man, Marshall Avener, was arrested Wednesday after making inappropriate comments toward children at a Pet Supermarket on NW 13th Street and then pepper-spraying a father, store employees, and a child before fleeing the scene. Avener also allegedly attempted to grab a child from a separate family during the incident. He is being held without bond in the Alachua County Jail on multiple charges of battery and child abuse.

Sources: WCJB TV20