Bar Fight Leads to Newberry Man’s Arrest

NEWBERRY ‒ A 41-year-old Newberry man was arrested late Tuesday, April 15, 2025, accused of punching another man during a bar altercation and subsequently pulling a knife on him while allegedly making death threats.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 11:20 p.m. on Monday, April 14, at Shorty’s bar located at 455 N.W. 252^nd Street in Newberry. Diontrey Whitfield was reportedly playing pool when tensions escalated over the game's outcome. Witnesses told deputies that Whitfield became increasingly upset, especially after the victim began mocking his performance.

The Sheriff’s reports state that Whitfield then approached the victim, who had been spectating rather than participating in the game, and allegedly punched him forcefully on the side of the head. The sudden blow led to a physical altercation between the two men, during which both fell to the floor, exchanging blows until other patrons intervened and separated them.

Witnesses told deputies that both men continued arguing loudly after leaving the bar. Once outside, Whitfield reportedly drew a silver pocketknife and charged aggressively toward the victim, chasing him through the parking lot and allegedly shouting threats that he intended to kill him. The victim, whose name authorities have not publicly released, fled to a nearby vehicle, managed to climb inside, and locked the doors, effectively ending the violent confrontation.

The responding deputy noted in his report that the victim sustained minor injuries during the fight. Photographic evidence was collected at the scene to document these injuries.

Investigators concluded that Whitfield had indeed committed battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. According to the arrest report, Whitfield “actually and intentionally punched the victim against his will,” and further threatened violence “with the apparent ability to carry out the threat,” creating a “well-founded fear” that immediate harm was imminent.

Deputies returned to Shorty’s bar Tuesday evening, where Whitfield was apprehended without incident. He faces formal charges of battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. A review of his criminal record shows Whitfield has three prior felony convictions and two misdemeanor convictions. He previously served a sentence in state prison, from which he was released in 2005.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail pending a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial.

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