Background: Surveillance footage allegedly shows George Horton attacking Rodolfo Ortega (WFOR/YouTube). Left inset: George Horton (Miami Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation Center). Right inset: Rodolfo Ortega (WSVN/YouTube).
A man in Florida became enraged over the way his 75-year-old neighbor was disposing of garbage outside their apartment building and proceeded to assault him with an electric bicycle tire and rim. The attack targeted Rodolfo Ortega, striking him on his face, head, and body, as reported by the police.
According to authorities, George Horton, aged 47, was displeased with how Rodolfo Ortega was handling his trash at the Normandy Isle apartment complex where they both resided near the 1200 block of Normandy Drive, detailed by local Fox affiliate WSVN. The incident took place on a Monday just before noon.
Ortega spoke to WSVN and other local outlets about the alleged e-bike attack, saying “he tried to kill me,” in reference to Horton.
“I tell the guy, ‘Don’t touch me,’” Ortega said.
“He touched me, and I tried to defend [myself],” Ortega added, noting that the alleged attack “broke” his head open.
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Horton’s arrest report, which was obtained by local ABC affiliate WPLG, accuses him of going after Ortega with the bike tire and rim after the victim brandished a screwdriver “to defend himself,” per the report. The two of them were initially having a verbal dispute “regarding the placement of garbage” and things escalated, according to the report.
Ortega told WSVN that he fell to the ground after the attack and suffered lacerations to his head, hands and other parts of his body. Surveillance footage captured from an area nearby shows the alleged assault unfolding.
“I don’t have nothing with the guy, no problem,” Ortega said, noting how he says hello to Horton on a daily basis. “Every day I say hi.”
Police said in Horton’s arrest report that he wasn’t located until Tuesday morning. Officers surveilling the area allegedly found him at the victim’s front door, “knocking and yelling incoherent statements,” WPLG reports. Horton allegedly had a “strong” odor of alcohol “emitting from his breath” when officers were talking to him.
Horton is being held on a felony charge of aggravated battery on a person 65 or older.
Police said in the arrest report that the surveillance footage “clearly depicts the physical altercation as described” and “corroborates the victim’s account.”
