AVENTURA, Fla. — A baseball player for Nova Southeastern University faced a judge on Wednesday on aggravated battery charges.

Police said John Clarke, 22, of Miami Shores, beat two people, including a senior, in the waiting room of the Mount Sinai Medical Center Aventura emergency room, located at 2845 NE 199th St. on Sunday.

According to arrest documents, the attack happened just before 6 p.m. Clarke and his mother had entered the waiting room, and as his mother spoke with staff, Clarke got up from his chair and began beating one of the victims.

A second person tried to intervene and Clarke allegedly punched that person in the face. Both victims sustained facial injuries.

In court, Clarke’s attorney said he is not a flight risk and that he was experiencing a medical episode at the time of the incident.

The attorney also said Clarke is a full-time student at NSU in addition to playing on the baseball team.

Clarke’s team bio lists him as Jack Clarke, a redshirt junior who previously played for Florida Atlantic University.

Clarke is being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and has posted bond.

Here is a statement from Mount Sinai Medical Center:

Official Statement

Official Statement from Mount Sinai Medical Center

"Mount Sinai Medical Center’s top priority is the safety and well-being of our patients, visitors, and employees. We are aware of the incident that occurred in the emergency room waiting area at our Aventura location. We cannot comment on matters involving patient privacy, ongoing investigations, or legal proceedings. The medical center is cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities as they conduct their investigation."

— Mount Sinai Medical Center

NSU baseball player accused of attacking 2 in Mount Sinai Aventura ER waiting room

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