A former UCF student, who is now a gym instructor, is back home after being hit in the face by a gym-goer with an iron weight during one of his classes.
Fundraising efforts and local gyms have rallied around the 25-year old John Szarszewski, after he suffered a broken nose, multiple face injuries and will need reconstructive surgery.
Over $11,000 has been raised on one fundraising site to help Szarszewski with the medical bills and other gyms are setting up their own fundraisers for him.
“While John is expected to make a full recovery, he will require multiple reconstructive surgeries to fix his cheek, eye, and nose, and will undoubtedly spend multiple months recovering before he is able to work again,” his YouCaring.com page said.
Daniel Amato, 40, is accused of attacking Szarszewski with five-pound plate in the middle of a class at Hard Exercise Works in Wellington, FL. Police say that Amato first picked up an 18-pound kettleball, but then grabbed a five-pound iron weight to attack Szarszewski.
According to the YouCaring.com page set up by Szarszewski’s family, Amato mistakenly thought that Szarszewski was romantically involved with Amato’s estranged wife.
Amato was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest.
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