Police arrest man on assault charge

BY KEITH EPPS

A local man was placed in jail after he pummeled another man Wednesday in front of a police officer in the area on an unrelated matter, police said.

Fredericksburg police spokeswoman Natatia Bledsoe said the incident took place about 1:25 p.m. outside the regional library at 1201 Caroline St. Officer Julie Keene was at the library in uniform investigating a possible runaway situation that turned out to be unfounded.

Keene turned around and saw a man repeatedly punching another in the face. By the time Keene rushed over and got the suspect to stop, the victim had been hit at least three more times.

The victim, a 25-year-old homeless man, was taken to Mary Washington Hospital to receive treatment for his jaw, which was broken in two places.

 Antonio Hill, 30, also of no fixed address, was charged with felonious assault and placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond. He was handcuffed and taken into custody without further incident.

Bledsoe said police don’t know what triggered the dispute between the two men.

Keith Epps: 540/374-5404

kepps@freelancestar.com

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