An 18-year-old Florida man has been arrested after he allegedly taunted a victim walking on a Fort Myers beach with racial slurs and then bit off his ear in a fight.

According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the victim, who was not identified in any way, was walking with friends on the beach late Monday afternoon when a man identified as Jack Turner called the victim racial slurs then came up behind him and hit him, WBBH reported.

A witness told deputies she asked the victim if he was going to allow that to happen, so he “took a fighting stance” and the two got into a brawl.

Deputies viewed a video captured by a bystander, which showed the victim face down in the sand with Turner on his back. Turner struck the victim in the back of the head with his fist, then grabbed him by the hair shoved his face into the sand. The police report said Turner pulled the victim’s head up and then appeared to bite his ear, causing a “traumatic auricular amputation.”

Bystanders broke up the fight.

The victim was taken to Gulf Coast Hospital for treatment and Turner was arrested on a battery charge. The sheriff’s office said Turner and his victim “were known to each other” but provided no further information.

“Sheriff Carmine Marceno has ZERO tolerance for violence of any kind! Fort Myers Beach will continue to remain safe for all visitors and residents of Lee County!” the sheriff’s office said A”dditional deputies will be patrolling Fort Myers Beach to ensure the safety and security of everyone!”

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[Featured image: Jack Turner/Lee County Sheriff’s Office]