HUNTINGTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Huntington man has been charged with domestic battery following an altercation at Harris Riverfront Park on the evening of July 10, according to the Huntington Police Department.
Officers responded to a 911 call around 7:24 p.m. reporting a domestic battery in progress near the 10th Street entrance to the park.
The suspect was described as a shirtless white male wearing blue jeans and carrying a black backpack.
Officers later identified the suspect as 40-year-old Paul Leber. He was located by police near 9th Street and Veterans Memorial Boulevard shortly after the incident was reported.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim told officers that she and Leber, her boyfriend, had been arguing about possibly breaking up.
She stated that Leber began approaching her aggressively despite her repeated warnings to stay back. Fearing for her safety, she attempted to use a can of mace — which she said Leber had previously given her — but it was empty.
She told police that Leber then threw his backpack at her, pushed her to the ground, got on top of her, and struck her in the face multiple times. Officers observed a visible knot, redness, and scrape marks on her right eyebrow.
The victim said she was only able to escape when their dogs began fighting, distracting Leber long enough for her to call 911. After realizing she had contacted emergency services, Leber fled the scene.
Leber was taken into custody without further incident and transported to Huntington Police Department headquarters for processing. He is currently facing one count of domestic battery.
He is currently at Western Regional Jail.
