A 29-year-old man from Florida has been arrested and charged with negligent manslaughter after allegedly assaulting a 62-year-old man outside a 7-Eleven convenience store. The victim, who suffered severe brain injuries, later succumbed to his injuries. The incident occurred in Oviedo, Florida, on May 1. The suspect, Brian Thomas Darnold, was taken into custody on Monday and is now facing legal consequences for his actions.
According to records, the assault took place in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven store located on Red Bug Lake Road. Deputies from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a battery incident at around 12:02 p.m. When they arrived, they found the victim, Amir Aryafar, unconscious. Witnesses informed the authorities that a man had exited a moving vehicle and punched Aryafar in the head. The victim was immediately transported to Oviedo Medical Center, where a CAT scan revealed a substantial brain injury. He was later transferred to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital for specialized care.
Surveillance camera footage obtained by investigators showed the suspect, identified as Brian Thomas Darnold, leaving the store and entering the vehicle while Aryafar was standing on the sidewalk. The footage indicated that Aryafar was not blocking the car’s path as he approached it. Darnold then exited the still-moving vehicle, quickly approached Aryafar, and struck him with a single punch to the head. Aryafar fell to the ground, hitting his head on the pavement. Darnold allegedly got back into the car and drove away without offering any assistance.
Investigators were able to identify the license plate on the vehicle, which belonged to Darnold’s girlfriend. They located him later that day at his girlfriend’s parent’s home. Darnold claimed that Aryafar had asked him for drugs, which he did not have. He alleged that Aryafar then insulted him, prompting him to defend himself. Darnold stated that Aryafar threw the first punch, which he blocked before retaliating. However, the victim’s injuries proved fatal, and an autopsy confirmed that his death was a result of traumatic brain injury.
Darnold was booked into the Seminole County Jail but was released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to appear in court on August 8th to face the charge of negligent manslaughter.