SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — What was supposed to be a cool and breezy time at Crissy Field turned into a heated situation between two beachgoers.
Two men were caught on video getting into a fight Tuesday afternoon at the San Francisco beach. KRON4 was initially at the beach for a different story but pressed record once fists started to fly.
It was around 12:30 p.m. when these two men started throwing punches and wrestling each other to the ground. One of the men was James Hidalgo, a martial arts teacher who says he was just trying to walk his dog Argis when the other man approached him.
“I saw this guy being loud; I didn’t pay no mind. I thought he was trying to get someone’s attention,” Hidalgo said. “I said I don’t know what you’re talking about. Just kind of put my hands up and was like ‘hey man ok and then he came in and tried to punch me,’ so then I pinned him down to the ground until the cops got here.”
Hidalgo pinned the man in the sand for several minutes, while witnesses called 911. Responding officers from the United States Park Police handcuffed both men while they were questioned.
United States Park Police confirmed to KRON4 that an assault occurred on the beach.
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“According to witnesses, the suspect physically assaulted a stranger. The suspect was arrested,” USPP wrote.
Hidalgo said he understood the process because of his military background.
“I was in the United States Marine Corps, so I understand that there’s protocol for all this, and you have to let the professionals deal with what they do,” Hidalgo said.
The other man involved in the fight, who was not identified, was taken away by police. While he was checked by paramedics and released from custody, Hidalgo said he is glad it was him involved and not someone who isn’t trained to handle a physical altercation.
“Imagine a nanny with her kid here. What is she going to do? The guy was a built guy, and he knew that he could intimidate 90 percent of the people today,” Hidalgo said. “He just ran into the wrong person.”
Hidalgo said he does plan on pressing charges.
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