A man has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a security guard in Dallas’s Deep Ellum district, biting him and spitting blood at two police officers, according to court documents.
Terrance Vidale, 41, was detained on Sunday, October 4, after officers were called to the 2900 block of Main Street at about 6.20pm. They found the security guard injured on the pavement and Vidale walking in the road, where witnesses said he had been behaving erratically.
Police allege the confrontation began after the guard told Vidale to leave the street. The arrest affidavit states that Vidale pretended to throw a purple-coloured drink at him before punching him and biting his face.
As officers attempted to arrest Vidale, he allegedly resisted and deliberately spat at two of them. Court documents say the spit, mixed with blood, hit the officers in the face.
One officer struck Vidale during the struggle. Footage recorded by a local business owner appears to show the officer hitting him after he had been handcuffed and pushing his head against a patrol car.
The Dallas Police Department said each use of force is reviewed to determine whether it complied with department policy. Police have not said whether the officer involved remains on active duty.
The injured security guard and Vidale were both taken to hospital, CBS Texas reported. Vidale was later booked into Dallas County Jail.
He faces one charge of assaulting a security officer causing bodily injury and two counts of harassment of a public servant. Police also discovered two outstanding warrants issued through the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.
The allegations have not been tested in court. Vidale’s arrest follows reports from witnesses that he had been standing in oncoming traffic and acting erratically for much of the day.
