Gainesville Police arrested two homeless men Saturday after a fight involving a box cutter and a lawn mower blade.
Phillip W. Hereford, 54, and Cassino G. Todd, 33, were both charged with aggravated battery, and they told authorities they stay at the St. Francis House homeless shelter.
The fight took place at about 4:30 p.m. at 100 SE 10th St. near the Tent City camp.
A GPD arrest report gave this account:
While arguing with Todd, Hereford picked up a lawn mower blade. One witness said Hereford chucked it; Todd himself said Hereford swung it at him like a sword.
Either way, the blade cut Todd's left hand, and he needed stitches.
Two bystanders said they broke up the fight, giving Hereford and Todd plenty of time to calm down and walk away. Instead, Todd grabbed a box cutter.
He sliced the left side of Hereford's face, leaving a seven-inch long cut running from his mouth to his ear.
Paramedics took both men to the hospital, and they were booked at Alachua County Jail about two hours later. They were held there in lieu of a $25,000 bond Saturday night.
