One arrested, one airlifted after fight on Stock Island

One man is in jail and the other was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami after a fight in the early morning hours Monday on Stock Island.

Several witnesses saw 42 year old Charles Miller and 45 year old Jesus Rodriguez fighting at the intersection of 1st Avenue and 2nd Street at 1 a.m. During the fight, Miller reportedly knocked Rodriguez to the ground, then was seen hitting him two more times, and kicking him in the face before fleeing. A woman who witnessed the fight followed Miller, calling 911 as she watched him flee into Coral Hammock condominium complex. Another witness who said he was walking to the Tom Thumb to get a soda called 911 to say the victim was not breathing and he was attempting to do CPR.

Key West Police Officer Thomas Anglin arrived to assist with searching for the suspect. He and his K-9 partner found Miller hiding underneath one of the condos and he was ordered to come out with his hands visible, which he did.

Miller was treated at the hospital for minor injuries to his foot and the back of his head. The victim was transported to the hospital and then airlifted by Trauma Star to Ryder Trauma Center where he is in critical condition

Miller told Detective Diane Mimosa he was walking down the street and met a woman whom he didn’t know. He said he gave her $10 to buy beer. He said she went into the store and came out without the beer. He said he asked her for his money back. He said she then ran over to Rodriguez, who was on a bike. Rodriguez then reportedly got off the bike and the two men started fighting.

Miller was booked into jail, charged with aggravated battery.

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