MERCER COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A domestic incident in Princeton turned violent Friday evening, July 11, when a man allegedly assaulted his mother over a household argument and then forced his way into her home.
Deputies with the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call around 6:05 p.m. reporting a domestic disturbance at 219 Gelding Street. While en route, dispatch advised that the suspect had left the home but later returned and broke in. The female caller locked herself in a room for safety.
When deputies arrived, a neighbor told them a man had entered the residence through a back deck door. Officers discovered the front door was also damaged. Moments later, the suspect — matching the description provided by dispatch — opened the front door and was immediately detained without incident.
The suspect was identified as Eric Sargent, the victim’s son.
According to a statement given to Lieutenant J.D. Ellison, Heather Sargent said she and her son Eric got into an argument over a cat scratching post, which escalated outside the home. Eric allegedly pushed her to the ground, causing a minor leg injury. She and her other son then locked the home and barricaded themselves in an upstairs room.
Despite the locked doors, Eric allegedly forced his way inside and made it upstairs just before deputies arrived.
Heather Sargent provided audio-recorded testimony and showed her injuries to deputies on scene.
Eric Sargent was arrested on multiple charges related to domestic assault and breaking and entering. He was transported to the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department for processing and later taken to Southern Regional Jail
