FORT PIERCE — The Police Department released body camera footage of when officers arrested a Vero Beach man after reports of him walking around Walmart with a machete on Aug. 30.
What happened: As law enforcement attempted to detain the man, he grabbed the machete and swung it violently at an officer, according to a Fort Pierce Police news release. The officer redirected the attack, forcing the man to the ground and causing the weapon to fall.
Charges: Lawrence Mansfield Fountain, 33, of Vero Beach, was charged with aggravated battery on an officer, resisting arrest with violence, disturbing the peace and petty theft, according to Juliana Waker, police spokesperson. He is in the St. Lucie County Jail on a $512,000 bond.
Injuries: During the interaction, a police officer and Fountain were injured, transported and treated at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital before being released. Fountain then was transported to the St. Lucie County Jail on Aug. 31.
Olivia Franklin is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Olivia on X @Livvvvv_5 or reach her by phone at 317-627-8048. E-mail her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com. Gianna Montesano is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at gianna.montesano@tcpalm.com, 772-409-1429, or follow her on X @gonthescene.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Watch: Florida man wielding machete in Walmart arrested by Fort Pierce police
Reporting by Olivia Franklin and Gianna Montesano, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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