Derrick Goodin, from Daytona Beach, Florida, was charged with aggravated battery causing bodily harm, battery and disorderly conduct, according to authorities. He’s currently being held without bail at the local jail while prosecutors decide whether to bring “attempt murder” charges against him.
Daytona Beach Police Officer Christopher Maher was wearing a body camera, and it captured part of the incident on video. Derrick is seen tossing a man off the bridge.
Derrick’s family went on social media to claim that he feared for his life and was acting in self-defence.
According to police, the alleged “victim” is Anthony Mascaro, 33. Anthony and a friend were walking across the bridge about 4:47 p.m. on Sunday. Derrick Goodin, who was on the bridge fishing, ran into Anthony and his friend and they started arguing over some money that was allegedly owed to Derrick Goodin. The argument quickly turned into an physical fight, during which Derrick tossed Anthony off the bridge.
Just at that time, Maher was driving past and saw Goodin and Mascaro fighting. As the officer got out of his car, he saw Goodin toss Mascaro off the bridge. The officer drew his gun and ordered Goodin to the ground. But before being handcuffed Goodin reached into his right pocket and threw what the officer perceived to be a wallet into the water. Goodin was then arrested.
The area beneath the bridge where Goodin tossed Mascaro has a number of pylons and catwalks, which could have caused severe injuries or death. But Mascaro swam to a pylon and clung to it until someone in a rowboat picked him up and brought him to shore. He was unharmed.
Watch the video showing the incident below.