Gainesville Police arrested a man accused of punching a man in the face Sunday night.
Jason Lee Duggins, 37, was charged with simple battery.
A witness saw the victim sleeping on the sidewalk at 3055 NE 28th Drive around 11:30 p.m., according to the report. He saw Duggins standing over the victim attempting to kick him in the face but failing each time.
The victim says he got up from the ground and told Duggins to get back, the report said. The witness says he saw Duggins swing and hit the victim in the face with a closed fist.
The victim then ran into the Grace Marketplace Welcome Center and into the bathroom to call law enforcement, according to the report. The victim stated that Duggins was outside the bathroom saying, “I’m going to kill you.”
After the arresting officer read Duggins the Miranda Rights, Duggins said he was hit by the victim and was only protecting himself, according to the report.
The arresting officer noted that Duggins appeared to be intoxicated and didn’t see any injuries from either party.
Duggins remained in the Alachua County Jail on Sunday and Monday in lieu of a $2,500 bail.
Follow Devoun Cetoute on Twitter @devoun_cetoute and can contact him at dcetoute@alligator.org
