Man impaled in brain with belt buckle during gang fight, police say

A Tempe man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of aggravated assault after he lodged a belt buckle into a victim's head, police said.

Roman Fernandez, 19, was arrested along with two juvenile suspects for a gang-related attack that had occurred the day before, according to a police report.

Fernandez and the two juveniles sought out other individuals of the attack, but it was not stated how many other individuals were involved. Once the suspects located the individuals, they began to punch them in the head numerous times, according to the police report.

Fernandez then removed his belt buckle and proceeded to strike one of the victims in the head, police said. The impact of the belt buckle broke the victim's skull and impaled his brain. The buckle had to be surgically removed, police said.

All three suspects admitted to being involved with the attack and demonstrated the same gang affiliation, according to the police report.

Fernandez was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault and assisting a criminal street gang.