Man arrested for battery on father and police officer

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jamell Aarion Welch, 33, was arrested yesterday after allegedly battering both his father and a police officer.

At about 11:35 a.m. on Sunday, Welch’s father reportedly flagged down a Gainesville Police Department officer and said his son hit him.

The victim said he had asked his son to return his cell phone after he let him borrow it, but his son refused to return the phone, became verbally aggressive, and threw the phone at him, hitting him in the face; a short time later, Welch allegedly punched his father three times in the face, knocking his father to the floor and injuring his leg.

The victim reportedly grabbed his phone to call 911, but Welch allegedly snatched the phone from him, so the victim drove around the area in an attempt to find a police officer; he flagged down an officer a few blocks from his home.

The officers spoke with Welch in the front yard of the home; Welch was reportedly holding a rock and refused to drop it after officers gave multiple commands to do so. The officer reported that Welch never threatened officers with the rock and insisted that he had it for his safety. After a few minutes, Welch allegedly threw the rock at the windshield of his father’s vehicle; the officer reported that the vehicle was not damaged.

The arresting officer reported that Welch was “dismissing” the officer and his partner and walked away from them. When the officers tried to place him under arrest, Welch allegedly hit one of the officers in the shoulder area.

Post Miranda, Welch reportedly said he hit his father but did not provide straightforward responses to any other questions.

Welch has been charged with obstructing communication with law enforcement, domestic aggravated battery causing bodily harm, battery on a law enforcement officer, and domestic battery. He has one misdemeanor conviction (non-violent) from 2014. Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail at $45,000 and ordered him to live in a separate residence.

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.