ORLANDO, Fla. – On Saturday evening, the Orlando police reported they are looking into an incident near the Pulse nightclub, where a man claimed he was punched and kicked in the face.
Police said they were aware of the “incident that occurred in the 1900 block of S. Orange Avenue,” but did not provide further details.
During Saturday’s incident, 39-year-old Zane Aparicio spoke to News 6 about what happened.
Aparicio mentioned being assaulted by someone who has been driving past Pulse since Wednesday, shouting derogatory terms and making obscene gestures.
Aparicio stated that the individual, who remains unidentified, removed a trans and rainbow flag and tossed them into traffic. When he attempted to retrieve them, Aparicio said he was assaulted.
[Crosswalk battle continues in Downtown Orlando]
“I got punched and kicked in the face. Naturally, it hurt,” he stated. “He snatched the rainbow flag from my hands and then started hitting and kicking me. I fell. I didn’t retaliate. As I tried to get up, he kicked me in the face. I picked myself up and called the police.”
A video given to News 6, showing only part of the altercation, captures a person kicking Aparicio in the head before they get into a vehicle and depart.
The crosswalk outside Pulse, located at South Orange Avenue and West Esther Street, remains a contentious issue between state officials and Orlando locals who have protested by sitting outside Pulse since FDOT workers removed the rainbow colors from the crosswalk last month.
[VIDEO: 3 arrested at latest protest outside of crosswalk near Pulee]
On Aug. 31, the Florida Highway Patrol arrested three people during a protest near the crosswalk, including Aparicio. Also arrested was 25-year-old Mary Jane East and 26-year-old Donavon Short were arrested and taken to the Orange County jail, but have since been released.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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