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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ocala man charged with battery after allegedly attacking co-worker in bathroom

A 28-year-old Ocala man was arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office after he was accused of attacking a male co-worker inside a bathroom.

On Monday, January 2, an MCSO deputy responded to a business located in the 2200 block of NW 42nd Street in Ocala in reference to a battery incident. The deputy made contact with the male victim who advised that one of his co-workers, identified as Kevin Latrell Coleman, Jr., had attacked him while at work, according to the MCSO report.

Kevin Latrell Coleman, Jr.
Kevin Latrell Coleman, Jr.

The victim advised that on Friday, December 30, at approximately 7 a.m., he had entered the break room at work to retrieve his gloves after using the bathroom. He stated that the lights were off inside the break room and he was unable to locate his gloves.

According to the victim, Coleman was inside the break room with another co-worker. When the victim asked where his gloves were located, he stated that an argument with Coleman ensured, and that argument continued when the victim stepped outside of the break room.

The victim told the deputy that a supervisor separated Coleman and the victim, and they were both placed in different work stations for the remainder of the day. There were no more issues with Coleman during the workday, according to the victim.

Near the end of the victim’s shift, at approximately 3:20 p.m., he advised that he entered a bathroom that was located on the premises. While inside the bathroom, he stated that he heard the door open, and he saw Coleman “rush him.”

The victim stated that his shirt was pulled over his head, and Coleman allegedly began punching him on the face, head, back, and shoulders. The victim told the deputy that he was punched approximately 15 times during the incident, and he was kicked or kneed in the sides an additional four or five times.

During the alleged attack, the victim advised that he rolled from side to side as Coleman “hit him all over.” The victim also claimed that Coleman bit him near his left shoulder and choked him with both hands around his throat, which restricted his breathing.

The victim told the deputy that the attack lasted approximately five minutes. He went to a local hospital for treatment of injuries that included two broken ribs on his left side and ruptured blood vessels in his left eye, according to the MCSO report.

The deputy observed that the victim’s left eye was red, and he had bruising on his left side. A bite mark was also observed on the left side of the victim’s back.

In the MCSO report, the deputy noted that a supervisor had entered the bathroom at the time of the incident and observed Coleman “on top of the victim striking him.” After Coleman and the victim were separated, the supervisor told the deputy that Coleman was fired.

A criminal history search of Coleman revealed that he was previously convicted of battery in Marion County on July 20, 2017.

On Wednesday, January 11, Coleman was located, arrested, and transported to Marion County Jail. He was later released on $2,000 bond, and he is facing a felony charge for committing battery.

A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.