A 20-year-old Ocala man is facing a felony battery charge after he allegedly struck another man multiple times with a skateboard during an altercation at a local skate park.
On Tuesday, September 19, two Ocala Police Department officers responded to Ocala Skate Park located at 517 NE 9th Street in Ocala in reference to a battery incident.
Upon arrival, the officers spoke with several witnesses at the skate park who stated that a man, identified as Brandon E. Taylor, was “acting out” and being “verbally aggressive,” according to the arrest report.
The witnesses reported seeing Taylor approach the male victim near one of the lamp posts on the edge of the skate park. They told the officers that a verbal argument ensued between Taylor and the victim, and Taylor allegedly “got right in (the victim’s) face.” According to the witnesses, Taylor then allegedly leaned in aggressively towards the victim while his hands were behind his back.
The victim spoke with the officers and stated that he felt “unsafe” during the altercation, and he advised that he decided to “preemptively grab” Taylor before he was attacked. He stated that he proceeded to place Taylor in a headlock, according to the report.
During the ensuing struggle, Taylor allegedly used his skateboard to strike the victim in the head multiple times. The report stated that the victim had visible injuries on his forehead, one of his eyes, and the area around his right elbow.
After speaking with the victim and witnesses, the report stated that the officers established probable cause that Taylor had used the “metal trucks of his skateboard” to strike the victim numerous times in the head.
Taylor had fled the scene on his skateboard when the officers arrived at the skate park. The officers managed to locate Taylor’s address, and they made contact with him at his residence.
Taylor was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $10,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 24, according to jail records.