Two residents hold knife-wielding woman at gunpoint in Polk County Dollar General

Two armed residents held a woman at gunpoint outside a Dollar General in Polk County on Tuesday after she threatened customers with a knife. Police arrested the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Natalia Gaviria of Kissimmee, following the incident.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Gaviria was heavily intoxicated when she entered the store. Inside, she pulled out a knife and waved it around. Store employees moved customers out of the building and called 911. Investigators noted that Gaviria stabbed a soda bottle during the encounter.

Two local residents drew their concealed firearms and pointed them at Gaviria until officers arrived. Sheriff Judd stated that Florida law allows residents to carry concealed weapons without a permit. He said the two citizens ended the threat before deputies took control of the scene.

“Way to go Polk County,” Judd said. “When we got there, you may say the caper was over.”

Officers charged Gaviria with disorderly intoxication, theft of the soda bottle, and two counts of assault. Sheriff Judd confirmed she is from Colombia and is in the United States without legal status. He added that she would face prison time before being returned to Colombia.

“Maybe you act that way in Colombia, but you don’t act that way in Florida and you sure don’t act that way in Polk County or we’ll pull our guns on you here,” Judd said. “Congratulations citizens. You did what was right. You intervened when a violent felony was occurring. You kept everyone safe until the sheriff’s office arrived.”

Authorities have not released the names of the two residents who intervened. It is not yet clear how long Gaviria remained inside the store before the shoppers stepped in.