A 17-year-old Centralia juvenile male was airlifted to a St. Louis Hospital for treatment following a stabbing at a large fight in the 200 block of North Lincoln in Centralia.
Witnesses provided a description that matched that of 25-year-old Dennis Schuchman III of West Rexford Street in Centralia. He was initially spotted by Central City Police, who turned him over to Centralia Police, who arrested him for aggravated battery without incident. He was taken to the Marion County Jail to await further court action.
Centralia Police Lieutenant Steve Whritenour says the juvenile was stabbed in the right ear, behind his ear, and in the thigh. A Centralia K9 unit later located the knife, which had a five-inch blade, about a block away.
Two others received minor injuries and were treated and released at St. Mary’s Hospital. A 15-year-old female juvenile received minor injuries from the fight, and a 15-year-old male juvenile received a superficial stab wound.
Police say the incident began with a fight between two girls outside a home in the 700 block of East Broadway. A group of girls walking on the street reported exchanging comments with those in a home. The fight moved and grew to about a dozen people in the 200 block of North Lincoln.
Whritenour says crowd control was initially an issue, but then the group quickly dispersed. He is thanking Central City and Wamac Police, as well as the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, for their assistance.
Police are continuing their investigation, including what led to the initial altercation.
