A dispute over an ashtray turned violent in Cooper City when a 42-year-old man entered a home's yard and confronted the homeowner, who was wielding a machete, authorities said in an arrest report Thursday.
According to representatives from the Broward Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred shortly before 1:50 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The victim observed a man named David Alejandro Guevara standing in the fenced yard of his townhouse holding an ashtray.
The victim reportedly asked Guevara to return the ashtray and leave when he opened the door. Officials reported that the victim re-entered the home, but had the impression that Guevara was chasing him. The homeowner grabbed a machete and prepared to confront Guevara.
According to the police report, Guevara, a Pembroke Pines native, lunged at the victim and attempted to wrestle the machete away. Police reported the two struggled and ended up on the ground. The victim managed to pull Guevara away from the perimeter fence, but the struggle continued, and the victim sustained a deep wound to his face.
Officials reported that the attacker fled the scene on foot, while emergency crews rushed the victim to the hospital for severe injuries to his hand and calf, where he underwent emergency surgery.
The defendant later explained to officers that he grabbed the ashtray because he found it attractive and confessed to grabbing the machete during the altercation to protect himself from a possible stabbing. He indicated that the victim was overreacting after suffering the wound, and that it was at that moment that he decided to leave, according to the officers' report.
David Alejandro is in prison and is facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, robbery with violence or aggression, and petty theft, according to prison records.
David Alejandro's legal representatives stated that their client acted to protect himself, noting that the homeowner was carrying a weapon and exhibiting aggressive behavior.
However, the prosecution says Guevara has a violent criminal past, with previous arrests for evading police, driving under the influence of alcohol, and possession of stolen property. The court has appointed a public defender to represent him at trial.
During a court session, the defense requested permission from the judge to take photographs and conduct a mental health examination, requests that were approved by the presiding judge.
