RPD: Richmond man assaulted victim with baseball bat on Amberley Way

On June 26^th, Richmond Police were called to investigate a reported assault which took place on Amberley Way. A witness who reported the altercation told authorities he saw a man exit his vehicle and begin striking another individual with a baseball bat while they were in their vehicle.

Officers learned of the suspect’s address using information from the vehicle he was seen driving during the incident. While questioning the suspect, later identified as Eugene Barnett, at his home, police observed that his left hand was injured and required medical attention. According to an arrest citation, Barnett told police that he was the victim and claimed that he was the one who had been assaulted in his vehicle.

Investigators learned the other individual involved in the assault was at a local business, where they would be interviewed. During this interview, police located a baseball bat matching the description given earlier by Barnett. When questioned by police, the other individual said they were the victim in the incident. They provided an account of events which involved them getting struck with the baseball bat before being able to take it away from Barnett and drive away.

Police later obtained surveillance footage which showed Barnett attempting to strike the other individual who was inside their car with the bat. Police say the footage also depicted Barnett punching the victim multiple times in the face.

Both Barnett and the other individual were transported to the Richmond Police Department, where they were interviewed again. Police say Barnett continued to claim that he was the victim, however he would later admit that he was the aggressor when confronted with the surveillance footage. Barnett admitted the baseball bat was his and stated that he and the victim had been “having issues” and he just “snapped” when he saw the victim.

Barnett was lodged in the Madison County Detention Center and charged with multiple offenses including 2^nd and 4^th degree assault, 2^nd degree criminal mischief, and falsely reporting an incident to law enforcement.