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Suspect In Pistol Whipping Arrested
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Published: February 5, 2009
SPRING HILL - Two men were left with fractured skulls following a pistol beating last month. The man accused of administering those beatings was arrested Tuesday.
Christian Rivera, 19, of 13160 Montego St. in Spring Hill, was charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm with use of a firearm, attempted robbery with a firearm and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
On the night of Jan 21, Kevin Strickland and a 16-year-old boy were at the Amity Trails Park at the corner of Coronado Road and Little Farms Road when Strickland started arguing with a group of men who were shooting paint balls, according to an arrest affidavit.
Several paint balls were fired in his direction and he retaliated by yelling at them and running toward them, deputies said.
He returned to his vehicle with the boy when they heard three sounds that resembled gunshots, according to the affidavit.
Minutes later, both Strickland and the teen were leaving the park when they were approached by Rivera and five other men, deputies said.
The victims told detectives Rivera pointed a black handgun at them and threatened them.
The gunman struck Strickland's face with the weapon and demanded money from the teen, according to the affidavit.
Rivera followed that by striking the boy in the face with the handgun three times while the five bystanders watched, deputies said.
The victims said the gunman left in a vehicle with his five "associates." They have since been identified and gave sworn testimony that was consistent with what the victims told authorities, according to the affidavit.
Strickland and his friend were treated at Tampa General Hospital with "severe injuries to the face."
Strickland suffered an "orbital fracture" to his left eye socket and underwent surgery, deputies said. It is not known whether he will suffer any permanent vision loss.
The boy, whose name is being withheld because of his age, suffered an orbital fracture to his right eye and a chipped tooth, deputies said.
He underwent surgery, but lost total vision in his injured eye, according to the affidavit.
Rivera was held on an $84,000 bond.
Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.
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