Fight At Homeless Camp Ends In Arrest

A man was arrested Monday after deputies say he hit a man with a shovel and threatened other residents with a knife at an East Naples homeless camp.

Christopher William Eithier, 44, was charged with aggravated battery on a person with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Reports say residents of the camp told deputies that Eithier had been bullying them since he arrived at the camp, in a wooded area near the intersection of County Barn Road and Davis Boulevard, about one month ago.

Michael Stevens told deputies that Eithier overheard his conversation with another resident of the homeless camp, Armando Alvares, around 8 p.m. and became angry. Eithier punched Stevens in the head and then picked up a communal shovel and hit Stevens in the right knee.

Stevens attempted to hit Stevens in the head with the shovel, but missed, reports said.
Eithier got on top of Stevens and pulled out a knife, threatening to stab Stevens. Alvares attempted to help Stevens and Either swung the knife at him.