Man arrested in hammer attack

A 33-year-old Tavernier man was arrested Saturday night after hitting his neighbor in the face/head with a hammer.

Timothy Lee Burton was charged with aggravated battery.

Deputy Cristian Santos and several other Deputies responded to Jo Jean Way at 10:46 p.m. whereupon Deputy Santos was flagged down by a witness who was rendering aid to the 26-year-old victim. Paramedics arrived shortly thereafter. The witness directed Deputy Santos to the suspect’s nearby house.

Deputy Santos went to the house on the 160 block of Jo Jean Way and ordered the suspect, later identified as Burton, out of the residence. Burton did so and was taken into custody.

The victim was conscious and breathing, but was not able to provide a statement.

The victim was airlifted to Jackson South Medical Center in Miami with severe injuries to his face. His condition Sunday was not clear.

Witnesses stated the incident started when a vehicle drove down the street at a high rate of speed. The victim and others on scene waved for the driver to slow down. The driver, Burton, got out of the vehicle and an argument ensued. Witnesses stated that’s when Burton struck the victim with the hammer.

Burton was taken to jail.

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