Camp ground fight lands two in jail, doo dah |
| August 15, 2011 |
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by Mike Weland newsbf.com A report of a fight in progress at Smith Lake Campground Sunday evening kept deputies tied up for hours and resulted in two people shifting camp to the Boundary County Jail. Ironically, the worst injured in the fracas was the one who ended up being charged. "When we got to the bottom of it and figured out what had actually gone on," said Chief Deputy Rich Stephens, "he was the one who started it and the aggressor." The report of a fight in progress at the campground reached sheriffs dispatchers at 6:54 p.m. August 14. According to Stephens, Justin Heigel, 30, got into an argument with his 17-year-old stepson, and the argument escalated into first a shoving match, which was broken up by other family members. The two got into it again a short time later, and another scuffle broke out. The step-son tried to resolve the argument by going to another person's campsite, but Justin followed and tried to continue the fight. The camper at that site pulled a firearm and fired a shot in the air, telling Heigel to settle down. Apparently, that settled the situation for a short time, but soon Heigel allegedly tackled his stepson and had him pinned face-down to the ground. With Mom and others trying once again to break up the fight, the stepson, who was not charged, managed to grab a camp hatchet, and, swinging backwards over the back of his head, managed to connect the butt-end of the hatchet with his step-dad's head, finally ending the fight for good. Why, yes ... alcohol was reported to have been involved! Heigel, after being transported to Boundary Community Hospital for treatment, was charged with aggravated assault, as a knife had reportedly been displayed at least once, with battery and with disturbing the peace. Heigel's wife, her son and at least one other by-stander suffered minor scrapes and bruises. During the investigation, a second person was taken into custody at the campground on a warrant for failure to appear. |