CRUISING FOR A BRUISING

Florida Lawyer Accused of Attacking Man, 67, in Wild Ship Brawl

Norwegian Cruise Line denounced the violence aboard its vessel.

A Florida lawyer has been arrested for allegedly punching a 67-year-old man and knocking him unconscious, according to a criminal complaint. Phillip Ortiz, 38, was charged with aggravated battery on a person 65 or older following the incident, the Miami-Dade County filing said. There are conflicting reports about whether the victim was a passenger or part of the Encore crew. “Who the f--- are you to tell me what I can and can’t do?” Ortiz allegedly said when told by the man that he couldn’t go down a shut-off corridor. The victim told police Ortiz then pushed him, and when he tried to shove the attorney away, a woman—thought to be his wife—pushed him as well. The man then retreated down the corridor. “The defendant then forced open the door and charged at the victim,” the report said. “The men then began to fight, when the defendant tripped the victim, who landed on his head along with the defendant’s full body weight, causing him to lose consciousness.” While passengers rushed in to perform CPR, Ortiz allegedly did not assist his victim. “My client vehemently denies that he is the primary aggressor,” Stephan Lopez, Ortiz’s attorney, said, according to WSVN. Norwegian told USA Today, “We have zero tolerance for violence of any kind on our ships and are committed to providing a safe cruising experience for all aboard.”

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