Bristol Diversity Council member accused of striking co-worker’s face with baseball bat headed to trial

A Bristol man who is a member of the city’s Diversity Council is going to trial and fighting allegations that he took a baseball bat to a co-worker’s face at a local convenience store on New Year’s Eve 2021.

Mohammad Aziz, 43, made his decision formally known to a judge during a hearing Tuesday in New Britain Superior Court. His case was added to the state’s trial list with no firm start date scheduled.

Aziz, who is free on $5,000 bond, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace in connection with an incident on Dec. 31, 2021, at about 3:10 p.m. at a convenience store at 201 North St. in Bristol, according to Bristol police.

During a dispute with a co-worker, Bristol police allege that Aziz took one shot at the victim’s face with a baseball bat before resuming his work responsibilities. Police allege he continued ringing out customers as though nothing had happened as the victim stumbled to the ground and clutched his face in pain.

Police also said the complainant had reportedly called Aziz names before he was struck in the face.

The incident was called in to police by a customer in the store, according to police.

Police described the victim’s injuries as serious lacerations to his mouth and lips. He was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Hartford for treatment.

The incident was reportedly captured on the store’s video surveillance system, police said.

Bristol Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano said city officials had recommended Aziz step down from Bristol’s Diversity Council when the allegations surfaced, but he confirmed Wednesday the 43-year-old is still a member of the 10-member council. Aziz was appointed to the council in August 2020, according to the mayor.

The council meets once a month to “engage with the Bristol community and City Departments to create awareness, access and opportunities that will support an inclusive environment for all Bristol residents and business owners,” according to the city’s website.

Caggiano said the Bristol City Council recently passed a charter revision that could potentially allow city officials to dismiss Aziz from the Diversity Council should he be convicted.

“If he were convicted, we would have to take some action on the city side,” Caggiano said.