MIAMI — A 41-year-old man from Florida’s Panhandle is accused of randomly attacking a woman with an umbrella in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood, leaving her with a facial injury that required medical treatment, according to an arrest report.
The suspect was identified as Richard Kenneth Hughes Jr., of Milton. Jail records show he was arrested Thursday by the Miami Police Department.
According to the report, officers were dispatched to the area in reference to a “violent battery” that occurred near the intersection of Northwest First Court and Sixth Street.
The victim told police she was walking to work when she was approached and followed by Hughes, who was no known to her “verbally aggressive” before charging at her, the report states.
Police said the victim reported that Hughes snatched an umbrella from the victim and repeatedly struck her in the face with it.
“As a direct result of the attack, the victim sustained a deep laceration to her face requiring medical attention,” the report states.
A witness told officers he saw Hughes repeatedly strike the woman while she was lying on the ground, according to the report. The witness said the woman did not provoke the attack and was unable to defend herself, police confirmed.
Investigators also reviewed surveillance video that they say captured the attack. Police said additional video shows Hughes picking up a large rock and throwing it toward the victim, narrowly missing her.
While being detained, police said Hughes made a statement that was redacted in the publicly released report.
Jail records show Hughes is facing one count each of aggravated battery with a weapon or firearm causing great bodily harm and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
As of Friday morning, Hughes was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond was listed as “to be set.”
A motive for the attack remains unclear at this time.
This is the second reported attack in the Miami area that occurred on Thursday.
Miami police also confirmed that a man was arrested and accused of randomly punching a woman in Little Havana in an unrelated incident.
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