Ohio officer struck in head with baseball bat

By Malcolm Hall
The Canton Repository

CANTON, Ohio — A city police officer who was struck on his head at least twice by a man using a baseball bat this afternoon is in serious condition in Aultman Hospital's intensive care unit.

Officer John Clark was assaulted inside the Wal-Mart at 4000 Tuscarawas St. W around 1 p.m. while responding to a call concerning a panhandler, according to police. The suspect, a 23-year-old Canton man, is facing three felony charges.

"I think everything transitioned pretty fast," Police Chief Dean McKimm said. "Officer Clark was responding to a trouble call. I think the suspect grabbed what was nearby. I am assuming he was in the sporting goods area. He blindsideed him (Clark), from what I understand."

The suspect, David J. Carter of 506 Aultman Ave. NW, was charged with felonious assault on a peace officer, aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary. Police also charged Carter with misdemeanor resisting arrest.

Police apprehended Carter a short distance south of Wal-Mart after cornering him in a garage in the 1100 block of Valleyview Avenue SW.

"He was taken into custody after we used a Taser on him," McKimm said. "He continued to threaten officers with a baseball bat."

The aggravated robbery charge stems from allegations that Carter took the baseball bat from Wal-Mart. And the aggravated burglary charge involves allegations the suspect broke into a garage to escape police.

Regarding the injured officer, "he has been on the job for about 23 years," police Lt. Linda Brown said. "He is a pretty good officer, too."

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