A San Francisco police officer arrested Aman on Sunday after he allegedly picked a fight with James Hidalgo, a U.S. Marine veteran and martial arts teacher at Crissy Field public park.
The altercation was incidentally captured by a news crew that was on a different story.
Hidalgo recounted that he was walking his dog Argis when he encountered Aman, who he said was being loud. “I saw this guy being loud; I didn’t pay no mind. I thought he was trying to get someone’s attention,” Hidalgo told reporters.
“I said, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ Just kind of put my hands up and was like, ‘Hey, man,’ and then he came in and tried to punch me,” he added.
The video shows Aman punching at Hidalgo while his dog hops around them. Hidalgo pinned Aman down on the ground for several minutes until United States Park Police arrived. Officers placed both men in handcuffs and questioned them.
According to a statement from the USPP, “the suspect physically assaulted a stranger” and was arrested.
Hidalgo said he understands the police need to follow protocol: “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 plans to press charges against Aman, who was not identified. He described the incident as a case of someone “running into the wrong person,” saying: “The guy was a built guy, and he knew that he could intimidate 90% of the people today.”
He added that he is glad he dealt with Aman rather than someone else: “Imagine a nanny with her kid here. What is she going to do?”
Hidalgo was checked by paramedics after the incident but was released without injury.
