Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Mahmoud Mohamed Elbadawy, 31, was arrested yesterday and charged with battering emergency medical staff at a Shands Emergency Room after allegedly attacking people who were praying at a mosque.

At about 7:30 p.m. on December 11, Elbadawy was being treated at the UF Health Shands Emergency Room at 1515 SW Archer Road when doctors reportedly ordered that he be restrained due to his “aggressive and unpredictable behavior.”

Elbadawy reportedly broke free of the restraints, and two emergency medical staff members responded to restrain him again. Elbadawy allegedly sat up, grabbed one of the employees around her neck, and scratched her several times. Several other staff members were reportedly needed to restrain Elbadawy.

The responding Gainesville Police Department officer noted that the victim had deep scratch marks on her face that were bleeding and that she also suffered an arm injury.

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Post Miranda, Elbadawy declined to answer any questions.

The officer also noted that prior to this incident, Elbadawy allegedly forced his way into a mosque and attacked several people while they were praying. None of the victims reportedly wanted to press charges.

Elbadawy, who is an Uber driver according to court records, has been charged with battery on emergency personnel, a felony. He has one misdemeanor conviction; Judge Mark Moseley released him on his own recognizance.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.