Gainesville Man Arrested for Stalking

Murray Edward Sapp, 69, was arrested on Friday and charged with stalking. 

The arrest report states Sapp “started following [the victim] around, calling and texting her phone throughout the day and night. [The victim] has told [Sapp] several times to leave her alone and stop messaging her. After [Sapp] was told to leave [the victim] alone, he showed up to her job and parked next door to where she works for no other reason than to see [her]. On [March 19]... [Sapp] opened [the victim’s car door at her job to talk to her. After [the victim] demanded for him to get away, he refused. [The victim] threatened to call law enforcement, and [Sapp] didn't care. It wasn't until [the victim’s] boss came out that he left.”

On March 21, the day Sapp was arrested, he reportedly arrived at the victim’s house uninvited wanting to “speak about a relationship.” Sapp told the victim he would “commit suicide if he couldn’t have her.” The victim told Sapp she would call the police, and he said, “Good, maybe this time the law will shoot me.”

Sapp reportedly stated if “he couldn’t live with [the victim], nobody could.”

One of the victim’s neighbors told police she saw Sapp stalking the victim on previous occasions. 

The victim told police Sapp’s stalking has been ongoing for a month, from “coming to her job” to “leaving notes and flowers on her vehicle” and “showing up at places where she stops.” 

Sapp’s actions caused the victim extreme anxiety and emotional distress.

Sapp’s bond is set at $100,000.