Ariz. Teen Charged With Baseball Bat Assault At Chanhassen Church
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 19-year-old man from Flagstaff, Arizona was charged Monday with second- and third-degree assault for an attack on an 18-year-old man in the parking lot of a Chanhassen church.
Jabari Javon Marshall is accused of hitting Oliver Smith in the head several times with a souvenir baseball bat at Westwood Community Church in the early morning of Oct. 12.
Marshall flew from Arizona to Minnesota two days earlier to visit a teenage girl, who allegedly collaborated with him in a plan to lure Smith to the church to be assaulted.
The suspect allegedly made comments that Smith "needed to be taken care of" because he wasn't treating the girl "right."
According to the criminal complaint, Smith arrived at the church parking lot at 4:50 a.m. at the request of the girl to discuss a personal matter. When Smith went to enter the girl's car, Marshall -- who was dressed in black clothing -- allegedly attacked him.
Smith fought back and wrestled the bat away from the suspect, who then fled on foot.
The girl took Smith to the hospital, where he was treated and released.
Marshall flew back to Arizona later that morning, and was eventually met at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport by deputies who took him in for questioning. He later admitted to the attack.
The Carver County Attorney's Office is working with Arizona authorities to bring Marshall back to Minnesota to be taken into custody.