OKC Police: Man Assaults Blind Neighbor Over Cigarette

Oklahoma City police arrested a man who reportedly assaulted his blind neighbor, after the neighbor refused to give him a cigarette. 

According to police, at about 10:30 p.m. on Monday, officers responded to the report of an assault at an apartment complex in the 1700 block of N.W. 17th. 

Officers arrived and spoke with the victim, who said he knew the suspect, 27-year-old Joshua Steven Kiehl, because Kiehl lived in his apartment building. The victim said he had been legally blind since birth and has had very limited vision for his entire life, and Kiehl knew of his disabilities.

The victim told police that earlier in the night, Kiehl showed up at his apartment and asked for a cigarette. He said when he went outside later to smoke, Kiehl showed up again and asked for another one. The victim said he refused.

The victim said he then began to walk down the handicapped ramp. That's when Kiehl pushed him in the middle of his back. The victim said he turned around, and Kiehl punched him in the face. 

According to police, another person witnessed the assault and gave officers the same story. 

Kiehl was arrested and booked into the Oklahoma County Jail on a felony complaint of aggravated assault and battery. He's being held on $4,000 bond.