OAK HILL, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A neighborhood dispute turned violent Sunday night after a man was struck with a wooden board by his neighbor, leaving him with injuries to his arm and shoulder.
Around 8 p.m., Patrolman First-Class S.M. Wilshire of the Oak Hill Police Department responded to an assault call near 216 Washington Avenue. The victim, later identified as William Buskus, told 911 dispatchers he had been attacked by a neighbor and believed his arm might be broken.
Upon arrival, Officer Wilshire found Buskus in the street holding his left arm and bleeding. EMS arrived shortly after and began treating the victim. Buskus reported that his neighbor, Audry Lee Williams of 301 Washington Avenue, called him over and then struck him without warning with a large board. Buskus said he raised his arms to shield his face and was hit in the arm instead.
Police detained Williams at the scene. When questioned, he denied any involvement but was reportedly unsteady on his feet and smelled strongly of alcohol, suggesting he was significantly impaired.
According to Buskus, the two men had a brief encounter earlier that day when Williams asked to borrow Buskus’s phone. Buskus declined, saying he felt uncomfortable. Later that evening, upon returning from church, Buskus said Williams was waiting at the edge of his property, called him over, made a crude comment, and then assaulted him.
Photos taken at the scene showed a large abrasion on Buskus’s forearm, swelling on his shoulder, and additional marks consistent with being struck by a wooden object. Buskus expressed concern that Williams had aimed for his head.
Williams was arrested on-site and transported to Southern Regional Jail, where he is being held pending further legal action. Buskus was taken to Plateau Medical Center for further treatment.
