KPD e-Press Release: Suspect Arrested for Attempted First-Degree Murder in Ball-Peen Hammer Attack
Suspect Information |
|
Name | Matthew Dalton Johnson |
Date of Birth/Age | 1/27/1992
21 Years of Age |
Race/Sex | White/Male |
Address | 2014 Birchfield Court
Kingsport, TN |
Weapon(s) Used | Ball-Peen Hammer |
Charge(s) | 1) Attempted First Degree Murder
2) Aggravated Robbery 3) Felony Vandalism |
General Narrative |
A suspect has been arrested for Attempted First-Degree Murder after assaulting his victim with a ball-peen hammer.
On November 21, 2013 at approximately 9:35 PM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers responded to the area of “The Birches” in Kingsport in reference to a disturbance. While en route, Officer Bobby Lawson was flagged down about a block away from the residence by an individual driving a white 2011 Hyundai Sonata. This individual, a 50 year old white male, appeared to be the victim of an assault, having various abrasions and bruises to his head and blood visible on his face and nose. The individual told Officer Lawson that he had been attacked by Matthew Johnson at 2014 Birchfield Court. The subsequent investigation revealed that Mr. Johnson and the victim are acquaintances and had been quarreling for several days. Mr. Johnson called the victim and invited him to the residence under the pretense of putting the argument behind them and making up. Immediately upon arriving inside the residence, the victim was suddenly and violently attacked by Mr. Johnson. Johnson struck the victim numerous times in the head with a ball-peen hammer and forcibly took his wallet and cell phone from his person. The victim ran to his car and began sounding the vehicle’s horn for help. He then got in the vehicle and attempted to leave. “The Birches” is a gated community, so the victim had to wait a moment for the gate to open. Before the victim could exit the gate, Mr. Johnson charged out and struck the vehicle with a large rock. Officers responded to the scene and located Mr. Johnson’s mother and grandmother, who advised that Mr. Johnson had already left on foot. However, while officers were still in the immediate area, Mr. Johnson circled back to the residence. Officers returned to the scene and found Mr. Johnson inside the residence cleaning up blood left on the floor from the earlier assault. Mr. Johnson was arrested and charged with: 1) Attempted First Degree Murder 2) Aggravated Robbery 3) Felony Vandalism The victim’s cell phone was located inside the residence; however, his wallet has not been recovered. For additional information, please contact: P.I.O. Thomas M. Patton K.P.D. Community Relations & Crime Prevention Unit 423-229-9433 ThomasMPatton@KingsportTN.gov |
Releasing Officer | P.I.O. Thomas M. Patton
K.P.D. Community Relations & Crime Prevention Unit |