Video of an assault recorded and shared on social media has led West Plains police to seek a municipal peace disturbance charge against a local man.
Levi Hodgson, 20, West Plains was identified by officers as the suspect in the Aug. 29 incident, according to a statement released Thursday evening by West Plains Police Department Public Information Officer Conner Burnes.
Video footage shows a man following the victim around a vacant parking lot in the 1500 block of Preacher Roe Boulevard, at the former site of the demolished Ranch House Grill & Bar. The victim repeatedly retreats, telling Hodgson he does not want to fight and asking why he is targeting a homeless man.
As the victim stumbles to the ground, Hodgson can be seen slapping, punching and kicking him in the head while the victim shouts for help. Someone off-camera can be heard laughing during the attack. Two other bystanders are visible in the frame, one of whom eventually steps between Hodgson and the victim before the group separates.
Officers responded to the incident on Aug. 29 and found the victim with apparent injuries. However, the victim declined medical attention and stated he did not want to pursue criminal charges.
The next day, after video evidence of the assault had been reviewed, Hodgson was identified as the suspect and interviewed about the incident.
Because the victim declined to pursue charges at the scene, the case has been forwarded to the West Plains Municipal Prosecutor’s Office seeking a charge of peace disturbance rather than state assault charges.
