[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 11/12/19]
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LEESBURG, Florida – A man miffed at allegedly being called a “punk” was arrested Friday for entering the kitchen area of the Leesburg Food Bank, located at 1305 Sunshine Avenue, and attacking a volunteer, injuring him, according to a probable cause affidavit filed against Omilson Oceant Shirley, 23.
Police responded to a battery complaint, receiving allegations that the defendant had punched the victim in the face – causing him to fall to the floor – at which point the defendant was said to have “mounted himself on top of the victim. While the defendant was on top of the victim, he punched the victim again in the face. This resulted in the back of the victim’s head striking and bouncing off the kitchen floor,” according to the affidavit. Other volunteers entered the kitchen and removed the defendant from on top of the victim, and police were then called, the report states.
According to police, “[t]he victim’s face was asymmetrical,” swollen and bruised; he was transported to Leebgurg Regional Medical Center by Lake EMS to be medically evaluated.
When police asked Shirley for his version of events he stated he entered the kitchen area to be served a plate of food, but was was called a “punk” (twice) by the victim and told to leave. “The defendant stated this was when he punched the victim in his face,” according to police. Shirley was booked into the Lake County Jail on a charge of misdemeanor battery, carrying a $1,000 bond.
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James Hope is a Florida Bar Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer who has been practicing criminal law in Tavares, Florida, since 1987. He has also been the Publisher and Executive Editor of Lake Legal News since 2009. He may be contacted at LakeLegalNews@gmail.com, or through his website at www.AttorneyJamesHope.com. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
