A man who allegedly attacked a police officer and a park ranger with a tree branch in Golden Gate Park on Sunday has been identified by police as 39-year-old William Henry Deegan.
Deegan, who is a transient, was arrested after an incident that began around 10 a.m. Sunday when he was approached by a park ranger in a forested area of the park near Transverse Drive, police Officer Albie Esparza said.
During the interaction, Deegan became violent, striking the ranger with the tree limb, Esparza said.
A police officer responded and was also struck with the branch by Deegan, Esparza said.
Both the ranger and officer were wounded and were treated at the scene for their injuries, he said.
Deegan was eventually taken into custody and was booked into jail on suspicion of two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, as well as threatening a peace officer and resisting arrest, Esparza said. He also had an outstanding warrant for failing to appear at a court hearing.
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