Motorists, deputies break up St. Pete street brawl

St. Petersburg, Florida - Most people driving near the corner of 4th and Gandy Boulevard Tuesday around 3:45 p.m. were shocked to see two men on the street corner in an all-out fist fight.

Some people blew their horns others jumped out of their vehicles to try to break up the fight, which happened near the Mobil gas station.

Among the people watching from their cars were two deputies from the Pinellas Park Police Department. They jumped out of their vehicles and drew their guns to get the men to stop fighting.

10 Connects reporter Tammie Fields and 10 Connects photojournalist Kevin Carlson watched the whole thing unfold in a state of disbelief. Kevin says, "It looked like a WWE match broke out on the corner of 4th and Gandy... like Mark Henry beating up Stone Cold Steve Austin."

Hobert Epps, a homeless man, says it all started when he asked another man how long he was going to be asking for donations on the corner. Tempers flared and the other man, who would only identify himself as "Brother Green," got into a fighting match.

Green was dressed in a shirt and tie along with two other men who were also taking donations nearby. He says they were seeking donations for New Life Church to help homeless children.

Epps says "I just walked up to him and asked him well how long yall' gone be out here? He took it so defensive that he literally whooped my a** but every dog has it's day. I got my butt whooped but you know what I'm God's child."

Green said "He harrassed me. Kicked all my stuff in the road. Kicked the money that I had collected. Threw beer in my face and things of that nature. It just escalated to something it shouldn't have been. I'm going to apologize to him."

Both men are okay. St. Petersburg Police Department is now investigating.