Texarkana Arkansas Police have received several phone calls regarding a report of an alleged beating death that is rumored to have occurred at the Fair last Saturday night, 9-16-06. Calls have come into the department as well as local media outlets from concerned citizens and parents. This is what actually happened.
Throughout the evening while on foot patrol inside the Fair, officers dealt with several groups of juveniles who were apparently involved in suspected cross town rivalry with other groups of juveniles who were also at the Fair.
At approximately 11:30pm a fight occurred in which a juvenile male was punched and knocked to the ground. He may have briefly lost consciousness during the fight and as officers arrived to break up the fight the group scattered and ran. It should be noted that this was not a random act and the young man in question appeared to have been actively involved in the fight.
Due to his unsteadiness officers called for members of the fire department to respond to treat the young man. Fire officials called for LifeNet to transport the young man to Wadley Hospital to be sure that there were no head injuries that may have been unseen.
A Texarkana Arkansas Police officer responded to the hospital at approximately 11:50pm to take a report from the young man. When the officer walked into the hospital room the individual stated that he didn't want to talk to the "expletive"-police. He was belligerent and refused to identify who hit him. The officer left the hospital and noted this statement by the suspect.
Hospital staff confirmed that the juvenile was released a short time later with what is believed to be minor treatment and no hospital stay was required.
It should be noted that the juvenile involved in this case was later arrested on
9-21-06 by TAPD officers after being involved in another completely unrelated incident. He was arrested on charges of Obstructing Government Operations and Possession of Controlled Substance. He is currently being held in the Miller County JDC pending juvenile court procedures.
Again, the police department wishes to emphasize that we will be contining to take action against any disorderly conduct with zero tolerance. Parents should be aware that children can be charged with criminal offenses if they become involved in any type of disturbance. Some issues have risen in years past involving a fight between two individuals, during which dozens of onlookers rush in to watch. These individuals may be subject to arrest as well.
The Four States Fair is a family friendly atmosphere. The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department is continuing to do everything possible to ensure that troublemakers are removed before a problem begins.
Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.
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