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Ocala
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ocala man facing cancer surgery accused of shoving woman

Vincent Kopec

An Ocala man convicted of domestic battery earlier this year was arrested after he allegedly shoved a woman during an argument over his upcoming cancer surgery.

Vincent Kopec, 64, was charged with battery (second or subsequent offense) after the incident, which happened Sunday night. Kopec was convicted in February after a vodka-fueled violent spat with a woman and her son in January.

Marion County sheriff’s deputies responded to Kopec’s residence and spoke with him through a bedroom door because he was threatening suicide with a knife. The victim said she and Kopek had been arguing throughout the day about his upcoming cancer surgery. She said she and Kopec separated for a period of time to “cool down,” according to the sheriff’s office report.

The victim said she was in a room with the door shut when Kopec became enraged and attacked the door with a knife. She said during the altercation, Kopec came towards her and pushed her across the room, causing her to hit her back on the countertop. The victim said she has had previous back surgeries, which enhanced the pain from hitting the countertop, the report said.

A pair of witnesses told the deputies that Kopec and the victim were arguing throughout the day about his upcoming cancer surgery. Both said they didn’t see Kopec push the victim, but they did hear yelling and screaming and Kopec striking the door with the knives, according to the report.

Deputies eventually talked Kopec out of the bedroom. He said he and the victim were involved in an argument when the victim said she hoped he died from his cancer. Kopec said he became angry and pushed the victim, but that she and another unidentified person has physically harmed him earlier in the day, the report said.

Kopec was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail, where he was being held on $1,000 bond. He will answer to the battery charge in Marion County Court on Sept. 8.