Centralia Police have arrested a 24-year-old Centralia man who allegedly came to a Labor Day family picnic and yelled ‘who wants to fight me first?’
Three family members were hurt in the altercation that followed with Austin Johnson of Irvington Road. He was formally charged in Marion County Court on Wednesday with two felony counts of domestic battery. Bond was set at $10,000 with the condition he have no contact with the three alleged victims. Johnson told the court he would hire his own attorney.
Centralia Police say Johnson first allegedly threw his grandmother to the side when she tried to calm him down resulting in an arm injury. He then allegedly picked up his mother by the throat with both hands. Johnson’s stepfather then attempted to break up the argument and keep Johnson there until police arrived. Johnson was able to leave in his car after striking his stepfather with the car in the left leg.
Police report none of the three required hospital treatment.
Johnson was taken into custody when located Tuesday in the Fairview Shopping Center. He was taken to the Marion County Jail and is awaiting a first appearance in court on the new domestic battery charges. One is a felony due to injury to the alleged victim and the other because of a prior conviction.
