Firefighter Jailed In Battery Case Resigns His Post

The Hillsborough County firefighter arrested June 1 in connection with a May 30 battery incident in Land O’ Lakes has tendered his official resignation.

“He has resigned,” confirmed Hillsborough County spokesman Willie Puz in reference to Donald John Elkington III. After the arrest, Elkington was placed on p, which is standard procedure in Hillsborough County.

The resignation was dated June 8, Puz said, but he only found out about the update in status this morning.

Elkington, 43, was charged with aggravated battery on a person over 65 following a May 30 fight at the Lake Padgett Estates clubhouse, 4533 Savannah Drive.

The victim, who is a 65-year-old Land O’ Lakes resident, ordered a beer from the clubhouse bar and then got up to use the restroom. When he returned, Elkington was standing by his chair, Pasco deputies said.

Words were exchanged between the men and then Elkington picked up the victim’s beer mug and struck him across the face, a Pasco complaint affidavit said. Elkington then pushed the man to the ground, the report said. The victim suffered “major bruising to his shoulder and back.”

The victim was hospitalized last week for “severe internal bleeding,” according to a Pasco County incident report. Pasco sheriff's officials have no further information to report at this time on the case.

The incident was recorded on the clubhouse’s surveillance video.

Elkington was released from the Land O’ Lakes Jail June 2 on $50,000 bond.

Patch is not releasing the victim’s name.