Brookline Firefighter Charged With Assaulting Man Over Slow Food Order
BROOKLINE (CBS) -- A Brookline firefighter is accused of beating a man because he was slow to order his food.
Firefighter Joseph Ward, 37, of Dorchester is on administrative leave, according to the city manager.
Police were called to Anna's Taqueria on Harvard Street in Brookline at 10:45 p.m. on Sunday. The police report states outside the restaurant witnesses saw Ward throw a bottle at the man hitting him in the upper back.
The firefighter allegedly straddled the man and punched him five-to-seven times using both hands. He's also accused of kicking the man.
The man was apparently homeless. Ward was allegedly yelling expletives at him.
A woman said she yelled stop, and Ward ran down a side street where he was arrested.
The victim was taken to the hospital for observation.
Surveillance video reportedly captured the alleged assault.
Ward has been charged with assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
