An 18-year-old Ocala man spent Sunday night in the Marion County Jail after allegedly pushing another man into a fire pit during a backyard barbecue.
A Marion County sheriff’s deputy responded to the report of a battery at a residence on NW 64th Street, where the victim said he and Jesse Allen Smith had been in an altercation. The victim said he tried to calm Smith down, but he began slamming and throwing items around. The victim said he told Smith if he didn’t calm down, he would have to leave, according to the arrest report.
The victim said Smith then tried to punch him and shoved him, causing him to fall into the fire pit. The deputy observed large scrapes and cuts across the victim’s back and a cut on the back of his left knee that was actively bleeding, according to the report.
Smith told the deputy he was trying to cook on the grill when the victim started yelling at him. He said the victim threw him to the ground by his throat and he kicked him away, causing him to fall, according to the report.
An eyewitness said Smith was throwing things and verbally aggressive when the victim tried to calm him down. The witness said Smith “threw a swing” at the victim, and the victim was trying to restrain him when Smith shoved him down, causing his injuries, the report said.
The deputy concluded Smith was the primary aggressor and charged him with simple battery. Smith was released on bond on Monday and awaits a May 17 appearance in Marion County Court.