Man who threw can at Cruz says he tried to toss senator a celebratory drink

The man who was charged with aggravated assault after tossing a hard seltzer can at Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) during a parade for the Houston Astros World Series win is claiming he was attempting to toss the senator a celebratory drink, according to his attorneys. 

"Political violence is never acceptable. What happened at the parade was not political violence nor 'aggravated assault with a deadly weapon,'" attorneys for Joey Arcidiacono said Wednesday. "Instead, this was an Astros fan trying to toss drinks from his cooler to the Senator during a championship parade and not realizing how it would be perceived until he saw security's reaction." 

Cruz was hit in the neck and chest area with the can while he stood on a float during the parade Monday. He did not require medical treatment, the Houston Police Department said.

Prosecutors said that after throwing two cans at Cruz, Arcidiacono told officers, "I know, I'm an idiot. I'm sorry," according to a local NBC affiliate.

The evening before the parade, Arcidiacono reportedly told his friend, "My dream would be to throw one of the players a beer. Doubt it would happen haha but that would be epic."

Arcidiacono was released on $40,000 bond.