I got got a feeling I broke my wrist. This guy just sucker punched me, man. >> You punched that guy in the face that day is the problem. Right in front of a camera. Clear as day. >> Let me go. Let me go. Let me put these things in my pocket. >> We going in your pocket. >> On August 5th, 2022, deputies in Florida responded to a racetrack gas station after an elderly man reported being assaulted with hot coffee and punched in the head. The suspect fled the scene on a bicycle, but witnesses quickly helped identify him. The incident was captured entirely using body camera footage. there for a minute. >> Yeah. Where's the other guy? >> He took off. >> He's got a black bike and a black backpack, >> dark shirt on. I think >> I got to find out how to retrieve this. I have a camera in my car. >> Okay, >> I'll have a picture of it. What's >> I got a feeling I broke my wrist. >> What is he wearing? >> Uh he's wearing a dark >> ensemble. >> Got a backpack on. He's got three zippers across a bike. >> Black bike. >> I got got a feeling I broke my wrist. This guy just sucker punched me, man. >> He threw a coffee at me. I was at the counter. Threw a coffee and I went outside. I said, "What's going on, man?" He came over. >> You want to I'm assuming you want to shoot charges. Oh, without a doubt. Without a doubt. I think I broke the wrist. Yeah, >> I think I broke your wrist. >> I mean, he hit me just on the side of my head, knocked me down. >> I actually saw a guy hit him. I tried I tried to catch him some [Music] >> um I don't I wasn't inside all of a sudden that guy said, "Hey, he he came out the door. Hey, you threw coffee at me." And the kid turned it around. He go came right at him and right across him and went to the ground. >> Yeah, I think he did hit him. He got a snow. Did you see him hit him? >> Yes, sir. >> Are you willing to ride on scene? >> Sure. I don't care. I don't like I seen him around here before. He parked his bike. >> I don't know him. I know he rides his bikes everywhere. A couple of days ago, he had a big freaking poster in the back of his backpack right with that in there. You know, I thought he was weird, too. All right, I'll get some paper. >> I can tell you I wasn't even looking at him. >> He was on the phone with somebody when he went by me. He hit me in the leg. >> What happened after that? >> I said, I went outside. He ran outside. What are you doing, pal? You just threw a coffee out of me. He didn't say nothing, man. He just came over and sucker punched me. >> Okay. Where did he hit you? >> Sign your head with a closed fist or open hand or >> I don't know. Close fist. >> How did What happened to your wrist? >> I fell. >> I fell. I went right down. >> All right. All right. So, just so I have a clear, they were Were they arguing first and then the guy threw the coffee at him? >> I don't ch at him and then and he told me that he went outside to confront the guy after he ran out of there. Yeah. >> And the guy just came up to him and punched him. >> Yeah. And it's like he he was like 20 ft away from him and he yelled, "Hey, you threw your coffee at me and I was like, "Okay, I'm going to turn turn around and you got a problem." He went right at him and smacked him. >> What did he What was he wearing? >> A t-shirt shorts. >> You know what color? >> Dark dark colored t-shirt, man. I don't know. Gray or black or something. Comes from plague. Here's you can sign here and then date next to it. All righty. I appreciate it. >> Sheriff [ __ ] >> Yes. >> Okay. I just put your name as sheriff. >> That's fine. >> Thank you. >> 6132. I'm almost 1097. Copy that. [Applause] Hello. Bear copy down. Copy down for me. >> Yeah. You need license on you? >> You have license on you? >> Of course. >> Okay. >> How you doing today? >> I'm well. How are you? >> I'm good. >> Any weapons on anything like that? >> No way. >> All right. >> What's the problem? >> Were you at a gas station the other day? >> I mean, I was at racetrack yesterday. >> All right. So, the reason why I'm out here with you is that we had an incident race at a um gas station a couple days ago. Elderly gentleman got coffee thrown on him and he was struck in the face. >> Okay. >> They sent an attempt to identify and someone called in saying that you match description. >> That's why I'm out here with you. Were you at a gas station recently? >> Uh I've been at race track. >> Did you have an altercation with an elderly male at all? >> No. >> Coffee and someone? >> I've never found coffee. >> All right. How about you? the same thing just trying to say to uh >> Okay. So, you weren't at a gas station, had an altercation, elderly mail or anything like that? >> No altercation. >> Okay. Which racetrack were we at the other day? >> That one right over there. >> The one in the median of the med. >> Okay. >> All right. Sean, how you let me read you something. All right. >> So, I read everyone this I'm talking to. ask more questions for you just so everyone's aware of their rights that there's no confusion. >> You have the right to remain silent. Anything safe can be seen in court. You have the right to have an attorney with you prior to, during, or after questioning. >> With these rights in mind, are you willing to speak with me? I also have a few more questions to ask you. I read everyone their rights so they're better informed of what's going on. >> Uh, are you rescuing? >> I'm not talking about rescuing right now. I just have more questions for you. >> Well, then I would rather not answer any questions because that's what my dad's always told. >> Okay. Uh, what I have to do is get some some photos of you. >> Okay. >> Like I was talking to you about in reference to the case that happened earlier. >> Okay. >> We have video of it. You match it to the team. Same sunglasses, same shoes, everything like that. Same backpack. >> That's what it is. >> Um so what's going to happen? I'm just going to forward this to the deputy that responded here for the call. >> Um let him know cuz like I told you, I'm out here to identify you, stuff like that. >> Can you just stand up? Just get some photos of you. >> Absolutely. >> Take these off. >> Uh leave them on for now. I'll have you take them off. Right. Stand to your side. >> All right. So, like I the reason why I'm out here since I identify you match the T description of a gentleman that was assaulted here spelling battery. Um he's over 65. >> Um so what's going to happen is I'm going to forward this to the state attorney's office of my findings. Um that's going to go along with the original case. >> Um just keep a lookout in your mail, anything like that for any subpoenas, anything like that, any uh notice to your peers. Uh, cuz I told you it's reference to a felony battery case. >> Can I have my license back? >> In one second, I'll give it to you in my car. All right. Um, do you have any questions for me before I get your license? Anything like that? >> All right. Give me one second. All right. All right. Like I told you, reason why I'm out here with you, right? Um, just keep a lookout in your mail, anything like that. >> Um, in case they go they go through with anyone, stuff like that. Um, ready to go. >> Thank you. >> All right. You guys have a good day. >> You too. Hey Sean, >> how you doing? >> How you doing? You Sean? >> Yeah. How you guys? >> Good. How are you? >> I'm fine. Just having a cigarette. >> All right. >> No, we're we're here to talk to you. >> So, >> no, it's just a studio. >> That's pretty cool. There's anyone at home there? >> Yeah, you probably want to ask them before you talk to me. >> I'll just talk with them. >> What is that? Your parents? >> My parents. >> I'll go out the front door. Let him know that. >> Okay. >> Hey guys. >> Hey, if you don't mind. >> He lives with me. I'm his father. >> That's fine and all, but he's an adult. Yeah. >> So, we're interviewing him and him alone right now. So, if you don't mind, you can you can hang out right here. But if you can't just go over there to interrupt our inter >> I just want to listen. >> Okay. You can listen from here. >> I can't hear you very well from here. >> Okay, that's fine. Like I said, I don't want you over there. >> This is my property. >> You want us to step off then? >> Uh, I may have to ask you to if you can't let me stand where I want to stand. >> Okay, we're conducting we're we're conducting investigation with your son right now. So, if you want us off your property, we can go take him up front. Okay. Now, >> he's diagnosed schizophrenic. I'm a retired cardiologist. >> Okay. >> He's schizophrenic. >> Okay. >> He's been ill for over 10 years and he's on disability. >> Okay. >> The only reason he's not homeless and on the street and hasn't murdered anybody to this point is because I keep a roof over his head. >> Yeah. >> And I make sure he goes and gets his medication. >> Okay. >> All right. Um, so I know the the deputies talked to you the other day over at the gas station, right? >> That's correct. >> Okay. And uh do you know what day that was? It was about like two or three days ago, right? >> Maybe a week or two or three, four days ago. I don't know. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Um I know they read you your rights then. I'm going to read them to you again. >> Okay. >> And then we'll we'll go from there. >> You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. You understand each of these rights? >> Yeah, I do. >> Okay. With these rights in mind, are you willing to talk with us? Uh, I've always been advised against speaking. Uh, >> you don't have to. So, >> that's why we ask. If you don't want to, you don't have to. >> You don't have to answer any questions. Um, I'm still going to explain to you why we're here and what we're doing. >> Um, and I got a couple things to show you and then we'll we'll go from there. Okay. >> All right. So, the other day, these are the pictures they took of you, correct? And I'm pretty sure you're actually wearing the same shirt today. >> Oh, yeah. Okay. So, that is the same picture. This one as well, right? >> So, that is you, correct? >> That looks like me. >> So, this is I mean, you're wearing the same shirt. >> It It obviously looks >> Do you remember them taking the pictures of you the other day? >> Yeah, I do. >> Okay. >> That's what the pictures are. Yeah. >> So, this one here, >> pretty identical, right? >> Uhhuh. >> Would you say that this is you? I know this one doesn't have color, but it's actually showing the same exact shoes. >> Okay. >> Neon green shoes. >> The backpack is the same backpack. You can actually tell in this photo. You see the two straps there? >> Uh-huh. >> The one strap there, the piece there. You got the same thing here. The two pieces there. Okay. Same glasses, same hair. The photos are in color. We just printed them in black and white. >> I can't I can't confirm or deny anything. >> Okay. Either way, um I mean it's it's pretty clear and it's pretty apparent that it is you. Okay. Um again, >> excuse me. Sorry. >> I will say the the one that the one you're saying you can't confirm or deny this. Um >> I can't say that the easy one is matching. It looks like somebody looks >> Well, I hear what you're saying. So, it's also tough cuz it's black and white. It's a photo from a video. The video is actually really good. It's a clear camera and I'm I'm willing to show you that video after we get done here. Yeah, the video we'd be happy to show. Um, >> and I was actually there. I was off duty, but that day where you were speaking to the other deputies, I just happened to be at that gas station. I don't know if you remember seeing me. Um, but I remember it was the neon green shoes. It was the green backpack. It was the sunglasses. Uh, your hair was styled upward a little bit. Looks a little bit lower. And for what it's worth, for what it's worth, the earbuds you're wearing >> when we if I show you this the video, you are wearing the same exact earbuds. The shoes match again and the backpack matches. >> I'm not I'm not going to say whether the two pictures are the same because I don't explain. >> We're just No, I know. I'm just trying to explain to you how we can >> The only the only difference uh from that day and when they stepped out with you and the day I saw you at the the gas station after the incident was a Nike shirt. You were wearing that one instead. Other than that, the same dark jeans, lime green shoes, sunglasses, green backpack, like olive drap backpack. Where we're at at this point is it's it's obvious to us that the the pictures are both of you. Um, we don't have any doubt about that. >> Honestly, I I would Is there any way that we can say that that is not you? I mean that that would be the only thing that would be the only >> only way that we can turn this around now is if we can determine that that is not you and by the looks of and again that's just the screenshot of that one video >> if you saw the whole thing >> which we can show you the videos >> it would be a lot different um >> like I said there's no doubt >> we have zero doubt that it's you and both those images but if you have anything that would help us if you have anything that would cause doubt on our end that'd be helpful. >> I don't know anything essentially. >> I I don't know what the problem seems to be. >> All right. Well, be straightforward with it. You you punch that guy in the face that day is the problem. Um it's right in front of a camera. Clear as day. We have video footage of you coming and going and on the bridge coming and going right back >> on the traffic cameras coming right back to here. >> Which is how we got here. >> And then the next day you go back to the same location wearing everything but the same t-shirt. >> Um and somebody who was there recognized you. >> Now you ended up with the deputies that day cuz they saw you were like, "Well, that's definitely that same guy from yesterday." >> Oh yeah. >> And then of course, you know, you told the deputies you weren't really sure what they were talking about and all that. That's fine. Um, >> what we were asking a moment ago is if you have any reason there there would be some confusion if you have an identical twin brother or anything like that. Any anything that we would explain why do you have an identical twin brother? >> No, I don't have an identical twin brother. But >> I can't think of any other way that that that wouldn't be you because we're positive. I was hoping you might have some amazing information that would make us think otherwise. >> I wish I could give you some. So, I always give everybody a fair opportunity to be an honest citizen and to be good about the circumstances they're they're in and get get a chance to actually do the right thing and be honest about it. So, we're actually giving you the chance now if you want to be on the right side of things or on the wrong side of things. As of right now, we only have one side of this. So, it's another reason why we're out here. We're trying to talk with you about it. That's why we read you your rights and that's that's why we're here. >> So, do you have audio? No, we don't have audio. >> So, you just have somebody's account. >> Oh, we have a video if you >> full video, >> right? So, >> clear as day, which again, we could show you right now if you'd like to see the video. >> What I would like to do is remain silent. >> Okay. >> Uh exercise my rights, which is what I've always been told to do. tell the appropriate uh authority what happened, who will regulate the uh accusations, confirm and make sure that the stories match up. >> Mhm. >> And then we'll take it. >> What stories match up? >> Well, you just said there's another story. >> Well, yeah. Obviously, someone called us. We have one We have one side of it, which is why we're here. We're trying >> You have one side of it, and I'm not going to give you the other side. >> Let me rephrase it. We have one side of it. >> We have one side of it plus a a video which shows >> an overall of the entire incident. >> It's pretty clear, man. >> Yeah. >> Bottom line is do you have do you have anything else >> or anything that you want to say before we wrap this up? >> Uh I don't think I have anything to say. >> Okay. All right. Stand on up. >> Put your Let me go. Let me go. Let me put these things in my pocket. I'll be going in your pocket. Here I'm putting in my pocket. I'm telling you right now, you're not going in your pocket. If you want to sort out your property, we can do that after. But right now, we got to get you in cop. >> Where are you taking me? >> To jail. >> For what reason? >> You punched a 76-y old man in the face for apparently. >> He attacked me >> for apparently no reason. >> He attacked. >> So, you're confirming that you were there, correct? >> By him attacking you. >> Saying that you're asking more questions and I already told you who I want. That's a use that's a sp that's called a spontaneous utterance when you just say he attacked me. >> I didn't ask you if he attacked you. >> You just straight up said he attacked me. >> So I'm going to take that as by that statement you confirm that you were there that day. >> And I'm going to take the video of you clearly being there and then coming back the next day in most of the same clothing. >> Comically looking identical to the day before almost the same time. You get these earbuds off you. We'll make sure you got nothing illegal on you. No, I just put it nearby in my pocket or take it. Whatever. >> Do you want to take it with you? >> Uh, you can give it to my dad. >> I would suggest taking the phone with you. Do you want to take the phone with you? >> Uh, yeah. Let me take the phone with me. >> I just turn around for me so I can check everything else. >> Where's your bike at, by the way? >> Bike? >> Yeah, the black bike. >> Is it over there? >> It's inside. >> Okay. I'm just asking if if if it was here. >> Okay. What color is it? >> Is that another question? >> Yeah. You don't have to answer it again. You don't have to answer any of these questions. >> What should I do? >> You're mentally. >> Don't talk until you have a psychiatrist and a lawyer or a public defender. Just don't say anything. I'm I I don't know what you did, but it's in your best interest not to cooperate to wait until you got an attorney and a psychiatrist to work with you because you're mentally ill. >> Probably read your rights. I mean, that's that's 100% your right. You don't have to talk to us at all. But unfortunately, the only thing that we the only choice we have is when you don't talk to us is we have to do what we have to do based off of what we have. >> Now, let me ask you this question. Even if we didn't talk, we're going through the same process here. >> So, no matter what happens, you were arresting me. So, you lied to me. >> Unless you had some kind of explanation as to why we're misunderstood or if there's some information we were missing, if there's something that would explain the incident, that's why we asked for both sides of the story. It's pretty clear on the camera. But, for all we know, we never heard your side of the story. So, >> So, you have those rights in mind, right? >> Yeah. >> You know what I said? You understood those rights. >> Mhm. >> Okay. You know that you don't have to talk, correct? >> I do know that. >> So, let's go over to the car. I'll show you the video. If you decide that you want to talk, let me know that you want to wave your rights and you want to talk and then we'll go from there. Okay. Oh, yeah. >> All right. Sound good? >> Fair enough. >> There's actually two videos that I'm going to show you. We don't have to talk at all. I'm just going to show them to you. I'm going to let them play. If you decide that you want to talk after, just let me know. Okay. >> Is that in slow motion? >> No, it's not slow motion. No, I don't need to say it again. >> So, with that in mind and your rights in mind, do you want to talk about anything or >> you want to? >> All right. Well, from what I remember, uh, when you saw him turn around like this, >> it looks like he said something. >> He called me a psychopath and a rapist. >> He saidopath and then somebody else said something and then he said rape under his breath. And uh then I wasn't going to stand in line and deal with that. So I walked out and as I walked out, I just dropped my cup because of whatever reason. I don't know why, it just happened. And uh I walked out planning to leave and not have any altercation with anybody. And he came out and started threatening me verbally. >> Well, how did he threaten you? Uh, he yelled at me. He cussed at me. He said something about, "You got a real problem. You want to fight?" He put one arm up and I assumed he was going to come at me and then I don't know what happened after that. It just all happened too fast. >> You did. You had the ability to leave right there. There should have been no threat. Even if he was saying, you know, threatening things, you had the ability to leave and call us and handle it the right way. Right. >> I'll take responsibility. >> What do you mean? >> I I didn't attack him, but I felt threatened. >> Okay. and the fight orflight response in me and my sympathetic nervous system's activated >> and probably, you know, we could probably >> with your, you know, your diagnosis that may have some kind of effect on it, too. >> May have been the wrong response, uh, genetically. >> All right. Well, I appreciate you manning up to it at least. >> I felt threatened and I acted on instinct. That's >> well that's all stuff that's going to go on the report as well as that you have a mental health diagnosis and hopefully >> what's going to happen is the state attorney's office is going to reach out to the victim. They're going to get in touch with them and see what they want to do. Okay, by the looks of it, they still want to pursue charges. I just talked to him a little bit ago. Okay, but that doesn't mean that things can't change. And if you have some kind of mental health history, then the judge might, you know, there might be some kind of other thing. Maybe you'll get some impatient care or something like that. But big thing is you manned up to it and you you you know, you basically said that you did this and it was the wrong thing for you to do. And that's a big thing. That's that goes a long way. >> All right. So, you are obviously placed under arrest. We placed you under arrest over there. We already had the intentions on arresting you. coming here. I knew that >> based off of the video and everything, we were able to identify you. A witness was able to identify you. >> Um, so that's where we're at. I'm glad that you came forward and you told us your side of it because that goes on record because you have that camera. >> Yeah. Yep. Both of us do. >> I'm sure and I'm sure the judge will appreciate that, too. That makes this makes the whole process a lot easier. And >> especially if you have no criminal history. >> No, I don't. >> It sounds like you don't. I'm actually after I drop you off, I'm actually going to give them a call and explain because they wanted me to let them know. I'm going to let them know that we took you to jail and I'll try to explain on your side of things a little bit. You might put on that. We're going to come over to this back door here. light. >> If it gets too hot or cold, just let him know. He'll roll down the window or turn off the heat, whatever you need. >> That's cool. >> All right. Do you want the seat belt on? >> Uh, no, Bill. I'm fine. >> Okay. All right. >> Come back. >> All right. All right. He'll be out of here in 2 seconds. According to official records, the suspect identified as Shawn Rule was referred to the state attorney's office for felony battery on a person over 65, a charge under Florida statute 784.08. Although not arrested at the scene, officers noted that video evidence and witness statements placed him at the center of the incident. His father disclosed that Shawn has a history of schizophrenia and is currently on disability. The case remains open with pending prosecutorial review. Shawn is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of