Gas Station Fight Ends in Arrest, Hospitalization

A violent altercation in a gas station parking lot resulted in one man being hospitalized and another taken into custody by authorities.

On January 22, 2025, at 7:36 p.m., officers responded to a disturbance at the Marathon gas station in the 2000 block of 14th St. W. Witnesses reported that a customer, identified as Peter Sampson, struck another customer with his vehicle following a dispute that began inside the store and escalated outside.

According to reports, Sampson and the victim, who arrived separately, engaged in an argument inside the gas station. The confrontation continued into the parking lot, where Sampson retrieved a hatchet from his vehicle and threatened the victim before using his car to hit him and fleeing the scene.

The victim sustained injuries, including a broken leg, and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Through investigative efforts, the Bradenton Police Department Crime Reduction Team identified Sampson, 51, as the suspect. He was arrested the following morning and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence and witness statements.