Alachua man arrested for punching hospital employee in chapel

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Alan Joseph Edmondson, 36, of Alachua, was arrested early yesterday morning after allegedly punching an employee of HCA Florida North Florida Hospital in the hospital chapel.

At about 5:40 a.m. on November 15, Edmondson was in the chapel at the hospital (6500 W. Newberry Road), and an employee who was sitting in the chapel during a meal break said Edmondson started acting strangely.

The victim said Edmondson approached him and swung at him, nearly hitting him in the face, and then punched him in the face. The victim said he defended himself by grabbing Edmondson and taking him to the ground.

The entire incident was reportedly witnessed by two security guards, who physically restrained Edmondson and pulled him off the victim.

Edmondson has been charged with battery. He has eight felony convictions (one violent) and four misdemeanor convictions (one violent); he has served one state prison sentence and was released in 2011. He has a pending Notice to Appear in Duval County for driving without a valid license. Judge Susanne Wilson Bullard set bail at $100,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.