Aaron Kromer arrested for battery after allegedly punching boy

ByMike Rodak ESPN logo
Monday, July 13, 2015

Buffalo Bills offensive line coach Aaron Kromer was arrested early Sunday morning in Florida on a misdemeanor battery charge after allegedly punching a boy in the face and threatening to kill his family.

According to a statement released Sunday by the Walton County (Florida) sheriff's office, Kromer and his son, Zachary, allegedly confronted three boys, who had been fishing on the beach, over the use of beach chairs.

Kromer, 48, has been accused of pushing one of the boys to the ground and punching him in the face after throwing the fishing pole into the water. Kromer allegedly then ordered that the chairs be returned to where they were found and told the boy that he would kill his family if he reported him to the police, according to the statement.

According to a police report released Monday, after Kromer returned to his residence, Zachary Kromer, 21, talked to the boys about the chairs and tried to help them find the fishing pole that his father allegedly threw in the water before the younger Kromer also returned home.

Aaron Kromer was booked into the Walton County Jail at 1:51 a.m. ET and was released on bond at 3:10 a.m.

"We are aware of the report and in the process of gathering the facts," the Bills said in a statement released later Sunday morning.

The NFL is reviewing the case, a source told ESPN.

Kromer joined Rex Ryan's coaching staff in January after two seasons as the Chicago Bears' offensive coordinator.

According to a report in the Chicago Tribune last December, which multiple sources confirmed to ESPN, Kromer made a "tearful apology" during a team meeting after criticizing quarterback Jay Cutler to an NFL Network reporter.

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