Buffalo Bills
Cops pursuing charges against Kromer's son after alleged beach attack
Buffalo Bills

Cops pursuing charges against Kromer's son after alleged beach attack

Published Jul. 15, 2015 12:25 a.m. ET

As details continue to emerge from the weekend altercation that has seen Buffalo Bills offensive line coach Aaron Kromer arrested and then placed on paid leave, FOX Sports 1 NFL Insider Mike Garafolo learned Tuesday that Kromer’s son could be charged with a crime, as well.

Walton Co. (Fla.) Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Corey Dobridnia told Garafolo that his office is pursuing charges against Zachary Kromer, 21, alleging he put his hands around the throat of one of the boys who was with the boy Aaron Kromer allegedly punched in the face in Sunday’s incident. Both boys, the one allegedly punched by Aaron Kromer and the one alleging the assault by Zachary Kromer, are minors.

The WCSO alleges the Kromers confronted three boys at Inlet Beach about their use of beach chairs while fishing near their home. In a statement, the sheriff's office said Aaron Kromer grabbed the boys' fishing pole and threw it in the water before pushing one of them to the ground and punching him in the face.

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Aaron Kromer, 48, was taken into custody just before 2 a.m. Sunday and released on bond about an hour later, jail records show.

On Tuesday, the Bills placed Aaron Kromer on paid leave.

"Over the last few days our organization has continued to gather information in regards to the alleged incident involving Offensive Line Coach Aaron Kromer," team president Russ Brandon said in a statement.

"We have been in regular discussions with the league office and have decided to place Aaron on indefinite paid administrative leave in accordance with the league's Personal Conduct Policy while we continue to work our way through the investigative process with the league."

Aaron Kromer is charged with battery that caused bodily harm, but the sheriff's office said it was still investigating and additional charges are possible. Multiple outlets have reported that Aaron Kromer is accused of telling the boy he alleged to have attacked that he would kill the boy’s family if he reported Kromer to police.

The sheriff's office did not release the names or ages of the boys who were involved in the incident.

According to Garafolo, the WCOS issued a warrant to the state attorney, who then issued a criminal summons to a judge. It's now up to the judge how they will proceed.

ESPN reported a judge can decide as soon as Wednesday whether to issue an arrest warrant for Zachary Kromer or a notice for him to appear in court.

Kromer joined the team in January after being fired from the Chicago Bears, where he made news last season when he tearfully admitted to his players that he was a source behind a highly publicized story criticizing quarterback Jay Cutler.

Kromer was previously an assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints, where he served as interim head coach for the first six games of the 2012 season.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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