Bloody Arlington Man Arrested After Altercation

Police say they found a 24-year-old man battered and bleeding on an Arlington front porch on Friday, Feb. 6. After investigating the situation, they charged him with assault with a dangerous weapon and a pair of drug offenses. However, the suspect, John Gamez of 20 Franklin St., Arlington, claimed he was the innocent victim of a vicious attack.

Gamez was discovered gushing blood from his nose, ears, and face at 12:54 a.m. on the porch of 49/47 Washington St., according to the Arlington Police Department. In addition to injured, Gamez appeared intoxicated, and expressed a desire to retrieve his phone from the third floor of 47 Washington St. This was also the whereabouts of the person who beat him up, he said.

As Gamez received medical attention, police say they interviewed the third-floor resident. The resident, who police now consider the victim, claimed he was forced to pummel Gamez and push him down the stairs in self-defense after Gamez threatened to stab him. Evidently, the altercation was prompted by things the victim may or may not have said to or about Gamez’s girlfriend.

The knife Gamez allegedly wielded was found on the apartment’s kitchen counter. Police note that the victim specified Gamez brandished the knife with his right hand, but Gamez wore a brace on his right hand that would’ve severely inhibited his movement. The victim had not been injured, police say.

Upon being questioned before his transportation to Mt. Auburn Hospital, Gamez responded, “Why would I go after someone with a 9-inch knife?” Police felt his apparent knowledge of the weapon was enough evidence to justify an arrest.

Later at the hospital, Gamez said he only went to the victim’s apartment to talk about their situation, and did not bring the knife. While searching Gamez for more weapons, police discovered a prescription pill bottle with what they considered suspicious contents. While Gamez had not been stabbed, he nonetheless claims that it was he, not the victim, who was in danger of a stabbing.