An alleged assault over the weekend sent a local man to a St. Louis, Mo., hospital for treatment of skull fractures, as well as bleeding in his brain.
At about 5:45 p.m. Sunday, Butler County Deputy Tom Burns was sent to a location in the 2300 block of Highway B regarding a man who had been assaulted and was going in and out of consciousness. Burns also reportedly was told the suspect(s) had left westbound on Highway B in a green SUV.
Burns, according to his report, arrived to find the man, identified as Steven Wayne Watson, 48, of the 2300 block of Highway B lying on the asphalt driveway. Another deputy and emergency-medical-services personnel and several civilians also were there.
Burns said he attempted to speak with Watson, who "was attempting to get up, but would then fall back to the ground.
"When the medical staff and I attempted to speak to him, he appeared to be oblivious to the fact we were present."
When emergency personnel attempted to place Watson on a stretcher, Burns said, the man began throwing up.
"The second time we attempted to place him on the stretcher, he got partway up and then collapsed to the ground," he said.
Watson subsequently was put on a stretcher and taken to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for treatment.
As Watson was being treated, Burns said, he spoke with Adrian Vincent Baney, who was present during the alleged assault.
Baney, Burns said, reported he and Watson were working on a vehicle inside a shop building when a green SUV pulled up. The SUV reportedly was occupied by three men and one woman.
"(Baney) told me the three males came into the shop building, and Mr. Watson told them they were not welcome on the property," Burns said.
At that point, Baney reported, two of the men left the shop, while the third remained.
Baney further reported to Burns that "Watson shook hands and did a 'shoulder bump' type hug with the subject, who remained in the shop, and then they spoke for a short time" before the two went outside.
Burns said Baney went back to work, but later heard a noise, so he went outside to see what was happening.
"He told me he saw Mr. Watson's feet first and saw he was lying on the ground, so he grabbed a club and started outside," Burns said.
The suspects reportedly ran to the SUV and drove off.
Baney described the man, who spoke with Watson, as being dark skinned, either Hispanic or biracial, possibly in his 40s. He was "stout looking," not wearing a shirt and had numerous tattoos.
The other men were described as one being older, possibly in his 50s with a beard, and a younger man, possibly in his 20s, with glasses. The woman had a large build, with brown hair and sunglasses.
Watson's wife, according to Burns, reported walking around the corner of the building in time to see the men running toward the SUV.
"She told me the subjects were yelling: 'Let us in; let's go, hurry' to the female who was in the vehicle," said Burns.
Like Baney, the woman reported the SUV fled westbound on Highway B after squealing its tires.
Burns said he also was contacted by two passersby, who reported they had pulled from Highway AA to head eastbound on Highway B when their vehicle almost was struck by the green SUV.
Investigator Brandon Lowe reportedly went to the hospital, where he attempted to interview Watson, who was "conscious, but having trouble staying awake."
According to Lowe's report, when he asked Watson if he could tell him what happened and who had assaulted him, "Watson advised me to 'leave him alone,' and that he did not want to speak with me."
Lowe said medical personnel told him Watson had multiple skull fractures, bleeding in the brain and a dislocated jaw.
Watson subsequently was flown to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis for further treatment.
Tuesday morning, Lowe said, Watson remained in the hospital.
"They are not doing surgery on Watson's brain, just his jaw where it's broken," Lowe said. "The surgery won't be done until the brain swelling goes down, possibly tomorrow."