A Miami Beach man is behind bars facing multiple charges after a traffic dispute on Monday afternoon reportedly escalated into a physical brawl involving a machete.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputies (MCSO) arrested 55-year-old James Varner on Dec. 1, charging him with aggravated assault and battery. The altercation began around 3:35 p.m. when a driver passed Varner’s slow-moving vehicle while heading toward a home on 12th Avenue.
According to MCSO, Varner followed the driver to the residence, confronted him, and delivered a head-butt. As the two men fought, family members of the victim rushed outside to intervene.
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Deputies say Varner then retreated to his vehicle, retrieved a weapon described as a large knife or small machete, and threatened to kill all three people present.
Law enforcement arrived on the scene and took Varner into custody. Despite the physical struggle and weapon involvement, no serious injuries were reported.
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