BLUEFIELD, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A heated confrontation at an apartment complex on Washington Street turned violent Thursday, ending with one woman hospitalized and another facing a felony charge.
Patrolman S.D. Copenhaver responded to a call at 2100 Washington Street regarding a reported assault involving a baseball bat. Upon arrival, officers encountered Shana Thaxton standing at the end of a hallway holding a hammer. Officers instructed her to drop the weapon, which she did without incident.
Thaxton told officers she had been struck with a bat by another woman, Ebony Allen, following a dispute. Officers noted a large knot on Thaxton’s left forearm, consistent with being hit by a hard object.
Sergeant K.L. Ross escorted Thaxton outside for medical evaluation, while officers made contact with Allen inside her apartment. According to Allen, the altercation began when she went outside eating a bowl of cereal and began arguing with Thaxton. Allen admitted to throwing the cereal at Thaxton, who then allegedly chased her back into her apartment. Allen stated she grabbed a bat, came back out, and struck Thaxton with it.
A witness corroborated key parts of the story, saying Thaxton had chased Allen, who then threw a hammer out of her apartment, striking Thaxton’s hand. When Thaxton picked up the hammer, Allen emerged and struck her with the bat.
Allen was detained, processed at the Bluefield City Police Department, and is now awaiting arraignment. She has been charged with malicious assault.
Thaxton was transported to WVU Medical, where doctors confirmed her right hand had been broken and her left hand sustained a severe contusion.
Authorities have not released further details at this time.
