Shands Physician Arrested for Battery

Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers arrested Dr. Blake Thomas Edwards, 33, on Monday and charged him with misdemeanor battery. 

According to the arrest report, the victim was attempting to purchase a fan from Edwards after seeing a post advertising the item for sale.

The arrest report states Edwards "invited the victim to his house, to discuss the fan" and the victim attempted to get a refund because it was missing pieces. Edwards refused, leading to a verbal altercation.

The victim began walking away while calling the police and Edwards reportedly pushed him in the back. 

GPD Officer Brandon Vidal reported that Edwards made a "spontaneous statement" about not receiving money from the victim's wife and not pushing the victim. Vidal told Edwards he never said anything about him pushing the victim and was surprised he mentioned it. Edwards replied that he heard the victim telling 911 he was pushed.

Vidal reported that Edwards showed "multiple signs of deception, including heavy breathing, sweating, stutters, and a visible high heart rate."

Seeing a Ring Camera facing the driveway, Vidal asked the see it multiple times, to which Edwards refused and requested a supervisor.

When speaking to the supervisor, Edwards shared the Ring footage.

According to the arrest report, the footage shows "the victim walking out of the garage and being pushed by [Edwards]. Even after viewing the video, [Edwards] denied pushing the victim.” 

Judge Susan Miller-Jones released Edwards on his own recognizance under the conditions that he not contact the victim. 

According to a University of Florida (UF) website, Edwards is a fellow for the Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine division. He has worked as a resident physician in Boca Raton and started working at Shands about eight months ago. 

Edwards informed the court that he plans to be represented by a private attorney.