At 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 1, police responded to a report of an assault and battery at the corner of Park Drive and Agassiz Road. Police found the victim who stated that he was on Agassiz Road near the boat house when a white male, about 5’ 8’’ in a red shirt started hitting him in the face then started slamming his face into a tree. The victim was able to break free and ran away, according to his statement issued to the BPD.

Witnesses said that the suspect, who matched the victim’s description, beat up the victim by the boat house around the stated time, 8 a.m.. The police began to search the area and found a man who matched the description given by both the witnesses and the victim. The police brought the suspect over to the victim who was being loaded into tan ambulance. At this time the victim identified the suspect, Jeremy Nichols, a homeless man, was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

During the booking process, Nichols reportedly told the police that he and his girlfriend were sleeping by the boathouse when the victim began accusing him of going through his possessions. He stated that the victim threw a white chair at him, which struck him in the arm. He also claimed that the victim reached into his pants and through feces at him and his girlfriend. The following violence, according to the suspect, was an act of self defense.