REVERE, Mass. — State Police arrested a man who allegedly swung a hammer at a group of African-American and Hispanic men and teens on Revere Beach Sunday, hitting one of them.
Preliminary investigation reveals that Gianpaolo Cerretani, 24, allegedly took a football from a young child. A group of Hispanic and African-American young men and teenagers took the football back, giving it to the child.
Police said at some point, Cerretani became enraged and began wielding a hammer and swinging it at the group, while also shouting racial slurs.
An 18-year-old Hispanic man from Lowell was struck by the hammer, suffering minor injuries.
As troopers rushed to the scene, several people were able to get the hammer away from Cerretani and subdue him.
Troopers put Cerretani into handcuffs while they interviewed victims and witnesses. During that time, he allegedly shouted another racial slur and obscenity at the group. Police said he also called a trooper a "pig" and then shouted to a trooper, "I'll take you too."
While taking him to the cruiser, he allegedly began to attempt resisting arrest.
He was treated for cuts to his face at Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett, and during that time police said he called an African-American security guard a racial epithet.
State Police said Cerretani was charged with of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; assault with a dangerous weapon; civil rights violation; threats to commit a crime; disorderly conduct; and resisting arrest.
He has been held without bail pending a hearing to determine whether he is dangerous. He is due back in court on Thursday.
The victim who was hit by the hammer refused medical transport, said State Police.
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