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Highlands Today

Police Continue Investigation Into Weekend Assault

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: January 21, 2009

SEBRING - The Sebring Police Department is continuing an investigation into a weekend assault that injured two people, with one suffering from an apparent stab wound.

Officers were dispatched to the 2000 block of State Road 17 North late Sunday night in reference to a physical disturbance in progress. Upon arrival, a male was found lying on the ground between two mobile homes, according to the offense report. Two others were present and trying to comfort the victim.

The victim's right eye was swollen and he was bleeding from his mouth. He reportedly told officers he was standing on his porch when a neighbor came outside and said, "If you need drugs you can get them from me," the report stated. The victim said he went outside to talk to the second person about the fact he had children living with him and they did not need drugs.

As the victim approached, the subject reportedly started hitting him with his fist and feet. Another person heard the fight and came outside to break it up. When the two were separated, the subject said he would be right back and returned with several other people, who all started attacking the victim again.

Once the gang realized the police had been called and were coming, they left in a white car, the report stated.

As officers were talking with the victim, a female came outside and sat on the porch, holding her side. EMS personnel spoke with her and she showed them a puncture wound on her lower left side toward her back and possibly near her kidneys, the report stated.

The female victim told police she went to help break up the fight and, "felt a pinch-like pain in her back," but did not know how it happened or who did it. She was taken to Highlands Regional Medical Center for treatment before eventually being taken to Tampa General Hospital by helicopter, the report stated.

The victims' names were redacted from the offense report and the female's current status was unknown Tuesday afternoon.

One person has so far been taken into custody. Michael David Schaffer, 24, of 4709 White Spruce St., Sebring, was reportedly seen walking north away from the Sebring Mobil Resort and wearing clothing the victim had described the assailants as having on.

Schaffer denied being involved in the alleged incident, but one of the persons reportedly positively identified him as one of those taking part in the altercation, according to the report. He was charged with misdemeanor battery.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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