A trip to a Polk County Dollar General turned into a tense standoff after a woman described as heavily intoxicated allegedly pulled a knife on customers inside the store, only to be held at gunpoint by two armed shoppers until deputies arrived. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd identified the woman as 36-year-old Natalia Gaviria of Kissimmee.
According to FOX 13 Tampa Bay, Gaviria got heavily intoxicated before entering the Dollar General and once inside reportedly pulled out a knife and threatened customers. Sheriff Judd said she also stabbed a soda bottle inside the business during the confrontation.
Armed Bystanders Step In Before Deputies Arrive
As the situation unfolded, two residents inside the store drew their own concealed firearms and held Gaviria at gunpoint until law enforcement officers arrived, the station reported. Authorities have not released the identities of the two armed residents who intervened.
Sheriff Judd publicly praised the pair for their actions, saying, “You intervened when a violent felony was occurring. You kept everyone safe until the sheriff's office arrived.” Gaviria was ultimately taken into custody and charged with disorderly intoxication, theft of the stabbed soda bottle and two counts of assault, per the same report.
Sheriff Says Woman Is In The Country Illegally
Beyond the criminal charges, Judd also addressed Gaviria's immigration status, confirming she is in the United States illegally from Colombia, the station's report states. No further details on the specifics of the alleged assaults or the people involved were included in the sheriff's account.
In a separate case in Inlet Beach, a homeowner reportedly held an armed burglary suspect at gunpoint before deputies arrived in response to a reported burglary on Quail Hollow Court, according to WJHG.
