This week, a fight at a Walt Disney World Resort construction site left one employee hospitalized and another facing a felony charge. Newly released law enforcement documents outline the disturbing incident, which unfolded at the future home of Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge.
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, previously announced as Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, is the next Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort scheduled to debut at Walt Disney World. The Deluxe-level property is set to open on the former River Country Water Park site in 2027 and will include 900 rooms inspired by Bambi (1942), Brother Bear (2003), The Fox and the Hound (1981), and Pocahontas (1995), along with a restaurant themed to The Princess and the Frog (2009).
Aerial photographer @bioreconstruct has documented construction progress from above, showing sweeping views of the development area as the project continues:
Aerial overview of construction at Disney Lakeshore Lodge.
Aerial overview of construction at Disney Lakeshore Lodge. pic.twitter.com/vyWtDxbPJy
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) January 1, 2025
According to a police report obtained by WDW Active Crime, deputies were called to the Disney-owned Lakeshore Lodge worksite shortly after noon on November 17. They arrived at 4600 Big Pine Road to find multiple construction employees restraining a man identified as Gerardo inside a golf cart, preventing him from fleeing the scene. Another worker, Yosef, was found unconscious and was rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Gerardo, who said he had been working on the seventh floor of the building, told deputies that he and Yosef got into an argument. He claimed Yosef “reached for a hammer,” prompting Gerardo to wrestle it away. He admitted to punching Yosef multiple times and showed deputies a cut on his finger, but refused medical attention.
However, video footage captured by another construction employee contradicted Gerardo’s account. Deputies reported that the video showed Gerardo initiating the confrontation by pushing Yosef, who did not fight back. Gerardo then kicked Yosef in the leg, placed him in a chokehold, and threw him to the ground.
Gerardo continued to hit Yosef repeatedly in the head and back before slamming Yosef’s head into the floor. Yosef appeared to defend himself only by standing up and pushing Gerardo away. Still, Gerardo continued to shove Yosef. Deputies noted that the video showed no sign of a hammer or struggle over a tool at any point.
After reviewing the footage and comparing it to Gerardo’s statement, deputies determined he was the primary aggressor. Gerardo was arrested for felony battery and transported to the Orange County Booking & Release Center.
Walt Disney World Resort has reportedly banned Gerardo from its property following the incident.
At this time, it is unclear whether Yosef has been released from the hospital.
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