– At approximately 12:42 p.m. on Sept. 9, 2019, officers of the Morgantown Police Department responded to a report of an assault in the area of 219 Walnut Street. Officers arrived on scene and found a victim that had been attacked and hit in the head from behind with a baseball bat. Officers provided immediate first aid and summoned emergency medical personnel who arrived and transported the victim to Ruby Memorial Hospital where he was admitted and treated for his injuries. Due to medical restrictions the victim’s status is not currently available for release.
Witnesses were able to provide the officers with a description of the suspect who was later identified as Thomas James McDANIEL, 30 years of age with no known address. Witnesses were able to provide that the suspect and victim have had an ongoing dispute that led to this incident.
On September 10, 2019, officers of the Morgantown Police Department observed McDANIEL near Chestnut Street. McDANIEL saw officers and entered the Salvation Army where he was taken into custody without incident. During the arrest, McDANIEL was found in possession of methamphetamine. McDANIEL was charged with Malicious Wounding and Possession of a Controlled Substance and booked into the regional jail under a $16,500 bond.