Drummer attacks fellow band member during rehearsal

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

Reginald Lee Johnson, 59, was arrested yesterday afternoon and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after allegedly attacking a fellow band member at a rehearsal.

According to the arrest report, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to an emergency room on Friday afternoon regarding a reported battery. The victim, who plays in a local rock/blues band, told the deputy that during a rehearsal the previous evening, he and Johnson, the band’s drummer, had gotten into an argument over Johnson’s performance. The victim reported that Johnson became upset, stood up from the drum set, and approached the victim with his drum sticks in the victim’s face. The victim said he pushed the drum sticks away from his face, but Johnson, who was holding a glass in his other hand, “pushed” the glass against the victim’s neck. The glass broke and caused some cuts to the victim’s neck, including one deep cut. Johnson then allegedly pushed the victim to the ground, picked up a chair, and tried to hit the victim with the chair. Johnson allegedly had to be restrained by other band members.

Post Miranda, Johnson reportedly admitted getting into an altercation with the victim. He said he had asked the victim to leave, but the victim refused. Johnson also said the victim had hit him first. Johnson has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and has been released from the Alachua County Jail.

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.