Phoenix police: Assault victim was 'holding part of his left ear in his hand,' suspect arrested

PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- Police are investigating an assault case involving a suspect biting off a man's ear following an argument at an apartment complex near 23rd and Dunlap Avenues.

On February 7 at 5:30 p.m., Phoenix police officers responded to an emergency call about an assault. The details of the call stated the victim was in an altercation with a male suspect, identified as Edward Gomez -- and Gomez bit the victim's ear.

According to the police report, the victim "..was in the parking lot of the apartment complex and was holding part of his left ear in his hand."

"I just remember him looking at me in shock, with blood in his mouth, and me just feeling like a faucet was pouring of blood," said the victim, Marcos Brito. "I just felt it run down my chest."

The victim was transported to an area hospital by Phoenix Fire Department crews. In an interview with police, he stated at 5:00 p.m., he was involved in a verbal altercation with Gomez, who accused him of cheating. The situation escalated to become physical when Gomez cornered him in a bathroom and bit his ear off.

"I just ran outside and fell to the floor and screamed for him to help me," said Brito.

Per the police report, the victim stated he and Gomez, 25, have been in a relationship for three years. Gomez later returned to the scene and was arrested. He admitted being in a physical altercation and biting the victim's ear to police, but said it was self-defense due to being cornered inside the bathroom.

In court paperwork, police stated, "A maintenance man was inside the apartment and heard the altercation but did not see the physical fight because the bathroom door where [the victim] and Edward were in was shut."

Officers say at the time of their report, doctors were unsure if they would be able to reconnect the victim's ear. However, Brito is now out of surgery, and doctors were able to reattach his left ear.

"It gives me a lot of anxiety," said Brito. "I'm already a very anxious person, and it just worries me so much. My life changed within a matter of minutes."

Gomez was booked into the 4th Avenue Jail for aggravated assault, domestic violence and later released on bail. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for February 14. Meanwhile, Brito said his relationship with the suspect was a roller coaster, with several incidents of domestic violence. He's sorry it ended like this, and hopes the suspect can move on.