DETROIT (WXYZ) — Spectator and security video captured a horrifying assault on a Detroit man experiencing homelessness.
John Boble grew up in the neighborhood of Warren and Dickerson where he was hit again and again Sunday afternoon in front of AAA Party Store by an off-duty security guard.
Boble says he’s acquaintances with the woman who beat him, and the two had attended a funeral for a mutual friend earlier that day.
“I don’t hit women," said Boble in an interview on Monday. "I don't hit women. That’s the only reason why I didn’t hit her back. I let her go.”
Boble says the assault started when he wouldn't give the woman $30. However, the underlying cause he says was the funeral.
“We had a funeral yesterday," Boble said. "Her friend died. Her best friend died. That’s what it was."
The assault was nearly two minutes long. On security video, it appears the woman had a weapon in her hand for part of it. Boble said it was a beer bottle. The woman worked for Lagarda Security. They tell 7 Action News she has since been fired.
They sent this statement to 7 Action News:
We were recently made aware of a situation involving one of our off duty employees. We have not been able to discern what led to the incident in question, however this behavior is not condoned by Lagarda Security. Shortly after learning of the incident we were able to identify the individual and have turned her information over to the Detroit Police 5th precinct. The employee in question was off duty at the time of the incident and was immediately terminated for her conduct. This lone individual is not indicative of the many fine professionals we have in our employ. Lagarda will cooperate with police in any continued investigation.
Boble says he doesn’t want to press charges.
