GAINESVILLE - A former Santa Fe Community College student has been arrested in the attack on Brandon McArthur, the Florida freshman baseball player who was critically injured last week after he was punched and fell outside a Gainesville nightclub.
Manatee County Sheriff's officials arrested Jonathan Aaron Head on Wednesday night on charges of felony battery with great bodily harm, Gainesville Police Sgt. Keith Kameg said Thursday.
McArthur, a former Armwood star pitcher and shortstop, remained in critical condition at Shands at the University of Florida at Gainesville, where he has undergone several surgeries for a brain injury.
As of Thursday afternoon, Head, 23, had requested an attorney and refused to speak with anyone from the police department, Kameg said.
According to police reports, McArthur, 18, was talking with friends as he was leaving the Grog House bar on W. University Ave. about 1:55 a.m., on Oct.30. Head was also in the bar, but according to witnesses there was no contact between he and McArthur.
For unknown reasons, Head allegedly walked over to McArthur, punched him and ran.
"Even with the eye witness accounts, there appears to be no motive at this time," Kameg said. "This appears more likely to be a random act of violence."
McArthur received the Tony Saladino award last season, given by Hillsborough coaches to the best county player. As a senior, he hit .419 and was 7-3 with a 1.34 ERA.
He was selected in the fifth round of the baseball draft by the Minnesota Twins.
Gators baseball coach Pat McMahon said in a statement that UF will let the police handle the matter and "let the process run due course.
"On behalf of Brandon's family, the coaches and all our players, please keep him in your thoughts and prayers," McMahon said.
- Correspondent Brian Shaffer and staff writer Scott Purks contributed to this report.
