ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando fire chief has resigned his post citing a legal case where he is accused of punching two people inside a North Carolina restaurant.
The Orlando Sentinel reports Fire Department Chief Benjamin Barksdale sent an email to the city’s chief administrative officer saying his decision was for the “best interest” of the city. He resigned Friday.
Barksdale is accused of punching a 55-year-old man and his daughter after going inside a restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina, seemingly drunk in late July. Authorities say he demanded to use the bathroom when the business was closed. Barksdale turned himself in after warrants were issued for two misdemeanor assault charges.
According to records obtained by WCNC Charlotte, the incident happened at Hisaki Grill & Sushi just before 10 p.m. on July 28.
Barksdale had served as Orlando’s fire chief since September 2019, but he had been suspended with pay in August after the arrest warrants were issued in the July 28 incident.
MORE NEWS ON WCNC CHARLOTTE:
Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Stitcher || TuneIn || Google Podcasts
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.