Gainesville man arrested for throwing rocks at man who was arguing with his girlfriend

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Daniel Figueroa-Lopez, 56, was arrested yesterday for allegedly throwing rocks at a man, hitting him in the head.

At about 6:28 p.m. on April 29, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to a home in Springtree, where the victim said he had been arguing with Figueroa-Lopez’s girlfriend in front of Figueroa-Lopez’s house when Figueroa-Lopez appeared, threw rocks at him, and picked up a brick. The victim said one rock hit his car and he tried dodging a second rock, but it hit him in the head. The officer reported that the victim was treated at the scene by EMS for an abrasion and bump on the back of his head.

Figueroa-Lopez reportedly stated spontaneously that he was in the back yard when he heard the argument, walked to the front yard, and felt he needed to protect his girlfriend because the victim was speaking offensively to her. He also reportedly said he picked up rocks and threw them at the victim, but he wasn’t sure whether any of the rocks hit the victim; he said he picked up a brick in case the victim retaliated.

Figueroa-Lopez reportedly said he knew he shouldn’t have done what he did, but he would “deal with whatever punishments come his way.”

Post Miranda, Figueroa-Lopez reportedly said he was upset because the victim was threatening his wife. When he was asked to clarify that statement, he reportedly said the victim told his girlfriend she was a “nobody” and their family members were “nobodies.”

The arrest report charged Figueroa-Lopez with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, but Judge Meshon Rawls only found probable cause for simple battery and set bail at $15,000.

Figueroa-Lopez, who was born in Puerto Rico and is a U.S. citizen, has lived in Gainesville for about nine years, according to a court document. He has three felony convictions (two violent) and 31 misdemeanor convictions (one violent); he has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2010. His criminal history stretches over multiple counties in Florida, California, and Michigan.

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.