Margate Police charged a Ventnor man with simple assault after a football game on the beach escalated into a physical altercation.
Police charged Alexander A. Denafo, 26, with one count of simple assault.
According to a release, the Margate City Fire Department Ambulance Squad responded to the beach block of Essex Avenue at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, July 4, for the report of a male who had fallen and suffered a split lip. Carnell Davis was treated by the ambulance crew, but he refused transport to the hospital.
After learning of the serious nature of Davis's injuries, police launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to witness accounts, Davis and Denafo were engaged in a game of football on the beach in Margate and began to have a verbal altercation. Both men mutually decided to leave the beach to continue the altercation, which developed into a physical fight on the beach block of Essex Avenue.
Cell phone video of the incident revealed Denafo struck Davis in the face which caused him to fall to the ground and strike his head on the pavement, police said.
Davis was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries. He was released on Tuesday.
Denafo is scheduled for a first appearance at the Margate City Municipal Court on July 26.
The case is being investigated by Det. Erin Borrelli.
