Marathon Man Allegedly Beats Roommate With Bat Over Dead Rodent In Freezer

Food for a pet led to an assault in the Florida Keys this week. A Marathon man was arrested for attacking his roommate with a baseball bat, Monroe County deputies said. Authorities said the incident happened in the 900 block of Camino Real Street in Marathon. A 57-year-old man, who was the victim, said he was keeping a dead rodent in the freezer to feed his pet snake. He also told detectives that Javier Francisco Arellano, 59, approached him about the issue. The victim opted to discuss it later to avoid an argument.

“The victim stated he went to leave the room when Arellano began hitting him with a baseball bat. Arellano eventually knocked the victim down and stated, ‘I’m going to have to kill you,’ before the victim was able to flee to a neighbor’s house," according to authorities. The 57-year-old man was taken to Fishermen's Hospital and airlifted to a Miami hospital, according to Local 10. Investigators said he suffered injuries to his legs, arms and hands. The victim also had "injuries that required staples to his head," they added.

Arellano was taken into custody Sunday morning (October 18) and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Investigators said they found nearly 40 firearms in the home.

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