LOUISVILLE, KY – A 49-year-old man from Louisville, Kentucky, is facing a first-degree assault charge after authorities say he attacked an individual with a wooden plank outside of a McDonald’s earlier in March, with the victim reportedly suffering “critical and life-threatening injuries.”
According to a press release from the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department (LMPD), officers responded to a reported fight at a McDonald’s located off of the 400 block of East Market Street at approximately 2:00 a.m. on March 17th. Upon officers’ arrival at the scene, they located a victim “suffering from injuries he sustained from an assault” which appeared to be “critical and life-threatening.”
The nature of the aforementioned injuries was so severe, officers handed the case over to the department’s homicide division to take the lead, although the victim has reportedly not succumbed to their injuries as of this writing. After police canvassed the area, they happened upon 49-year-old Julius Howard who allegedly admitted to “fighting” the victim, with the suspect having visible blood on his shoes.
A potential motive in the alleged attack, according to witness statements to police, may stem from the victim’s perceived nationality, as witnesses claimed to have heard Howard telling the victim to “leave his country” before allegedly weaponizing the 2x4 in tow.
While Howard is currently only charged with first-degree assault, an update from the LMPD under their initial press release provided insight as to why they referred their case to the homicide unit.
“The Homicide Unit is handling this investigation because of the injuries the victim sustained. He is listed as critical and those injuries are life threatening. That is why Homicide assumed control of the investigation. If the victim passes away, charges will most likely be upgraded,” the update from the LMPD reads.
Howard remains in custody following his initial arraignment which was held on March 18th.
According to a press release from the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department (LMPD), officers responded to a reported fight at a McDonald’s located off of the 400 block of East Market Street at approximately 2:00 a.m. on March 17th. Upon officers’ arrival at the scene, they located a victim “suffering from injuries he sustained from an assault” which appeared to be “critical and life-threatening.”
The nature of the aforementioned injuries was so severe, officers handed the case over to the department’s homicide division to take the lead, although the victim has reportedly not succumbed to their injuries as of this writing. After police canvassed the area, they happened upon 49-year-old Julius Howard who allegedly admitted to “fighting” the victim, with the suspect having visible blood on his shoes.
A potential motive in the alleged attack, according to witness statements to police, may stem from the victim’s perceived nationality, as witnesses claimed to have heard Howard telling the victim to “leave his country” before allegedly weaponizing the 2x4 in tow.
While Howard is currently only charged with first-degree assault, an update from the LMPD under their initial press release provided insight as to why they referred their case to the homicide unit.
“The Homicide Unit is handling this investigation because of the injuries the victim sustained. He is listed as critical and those injuries are life threatening. That is why Homicide assumed control of the investigation. If the victim passes away, charges will most likely be upgraded,” the update from the LMPD reads.
Howard remains in custody following his initial arraignment which was held on March 18th.
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