A former Miami firefighter says he punched the handcuffed patient after he spit in his face.
Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Robert Webster, who was suspended after the Oct. 15 incident decided to retire.
He brought Antonio Cruz to the emergency room at Jackson Memorial Hospital after he ingested heroin and cocaine, NBC6 reported.
“I remember taking the first swing at the individual and then I remember being grabbed and restrained by various people. He attempted to take my life and I responded, in my opinion, accordingly.”
He stands by his original statement after the video of the incident went viral — he has no regrets.
“Regret being a victim? No one should regret being a victim. I am deemed both in my mind and the state attorney’s office to be a victim in this situation. My only regret is his actions.”
He told reporters as a firefighter, he always used universal precautions to protect himself against bodily fluids.
“I didn’t wake up that day and say ‘I’m going to punch a guy in the face.’ I also didn’t wake up and say I’m going to have some guy attempt to introduce various communicable diseases to my eyes, mouth and nose,” Webster said. “It’s not something you plan on, but when it happens no one can sit back on Monday morning and say what that quarterback should have done on Sunday afternoon.”
Cruz is being charged with battery for spitting in Webster’s face.
