A Florida man who allegedly told a police officer, “I want to fight you,” ended up with a badly swollen and bloodied face after the challenge turned into a violent hospital brawl, authorities say.
Ronald Jeffrey Johnson, 51, was later seen being physically supported by jail staff for his bruising mugshot after the Aug. 29 confrontation at Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale.
According to an arrest report, Johnson was already causing trouble inside the hospital’s emergency department when a uniformed Fort Lauderdale Police officer working an off-duty detail was called over.
The officer said Johnson was yelling at hospital workers across the registration desk and alarming other patients in the waiting room.
“I observed the defendant yelling at medical staff from the opposite side of the registration desk, causing a breach of peace in the waiting room and creating fear in the surrounding patients,” the officer wrote in the report.
But once Johnson spotted the officer, authorities say his attention quickly shifted.
“I want to fight you,” Johnson allegedly shouted before aggressively charging toward the cop.
The situation then exploded into a physical struggle.
The officer said Johnson grabbed him and attempted to fight while resisting efforts to bring him under control.
“A physical altercation between me and the defendant ensued, where he initially grabbed me in an attempt to fight me, and resisted me from controlling him,” the officer wrote.
Police said the officer was eventually able to overpower the 5-foot-8, 240-pound suspect and stop his alleged “intentional, aggressive and physical behavior.”
Johnson was detained and treated for his injuries without having to travel far — he was already inside the hospital.
After being medically cleared, he was transported to the Broward Sheriff’s Office Main Jail, where his battered appearance was captured in a dramatic booking photo showing his face severely swollen and bloodied.
Johnson was charged with aggravated battery on an officer, resisting an officer with violence, assault on an officer and disorderly conduct.
Authorities also discovered Johnson was wanted in Georgia for failing to appear in court in a case involving terroristic threats.
The police officer was also hurt during the confrontation, suffering a cut to his left hand that required multiple stitches.
Johnson remained in custody on bond following the incident.
