Mount Dora Pastor Charged with Battery on Older Person After Park Incident, Witness Reports “Blood-Curdling Screaming”

In a recent incident in Mount Dora, a pastor has been arrested on charges of battery on an older person. The arrest followed an altercation captured on surveillance footage at Wooton Park, where the pastor allegedly elbowed a man in the face. The incident occurred after a verbal dispute involving the victim and his sister over parenting issues.

Witness Brandy Koester Currie, who was present at the scene, expressed concern over the lack of audio in the video, noting that it failed to capture the full context of the events leading up to the altercation. She recounted hearing “blood-curdling screaming” that prompted her to approach the gazebo, believing a woman was in danger. According to Koester Currie, the pastor had reportedly told the older man, “You’re not going to abuse women, we don’t abuse women,” moments before the physical altercation ensued.

The victim, who sustained injuries to his mouth, nose, and head from the incident, reported the assault to the police. The pastor, identified as the co-founder and pastor of HopeCity Church Mount Dora, was subsequently charged with a third-degree felony for battery on a person aged 65 or older. In his defense, the pastor acknowledged that his intervention might have been ill-advised, yet he claimed that the family expressed gratitude for his involvement.

Koester Currie emphasized the importance of adhering to the law, stating, “I believe the law is the law, and we can’t assault individuals. Assault is never OK.” Her statement reflects a broader call for accountability and justice, aligning with the biblical principle of caring for one’s neighbor (Micah 6:8). As the community grapples with this incident, it serves as a reminder of the need for integrity and the pursuit of peace, even amidst conflict.

Source: Read the original report