FL FF Charged After Joke Went 'Too Far'

Sept. 29, 2023
The Orlando firefighter said he was joking when he held a knife to the throat of a colleague.

Orlando firefighter is facing criminal charges after police say a joke went too far.

After dinner at the station earlier this month, a firefighter mentioned using dish soap on a cast iron pan which the crew said was a running joke, WESH reported.

Firefighter Lateef Omari Williams "...wrapped his arms around his back and neck and placed a knife against (victim's) throat," allegedly saying, "that's how people get killed." 

He added he was "...only joking and that he was using the dull side of the blade..." the station reported quoting a court document. 

At first, the victim wasn't sure he wanted to prosecute. But changed his mind.

That led to Williams being charged with aggravated assault and battery.

 The investigator wrote that it "...appeared to be a joke that 'went too far'..."

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