Somerset —
Police are searching for a man who they say attacked two people with a hammer before fleeing the scene on foot.
The Somerset Police Department responded to a report of an apparent assault early Monday evening that took place at a residence on Crane Street.
Once officers arrived on the scene, they discovered Kristen McWain, age 38, and a male juvenile
suffering from wounds sustained during the alleged assault.
Lt. Shannon Smith, with SPD, said McWain suffered from a laceration to the head in the attack.
Smith said the male juvenile “was actually able to fight back in protection of McWain,” which caused the suspect to then attack the juvenile.
Smith said both victims told officers the suspect had attacked them with a hammer, and Smith said McWain’s injuries were consistent with their statements. Smith said the juvenile, a teenager, suffered some abrasions from the hammer and from the perpetrator’s fists.
The suspect, identified as Herbert “Herbie” Dugger, Jr., who is in his early- to mid-30s, fled the scene on foot after the apparent assault.
“From there, officers weren’t able to locate him (Dugger),” said Smith.
Officers searched several areas in an attempt to locate Dugger, but the suspect was not found.
McWain and the juvenile were treated at the scene and transported to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital by Somerset-Pulaski County EMS. They were later released from the hospital.
Smith said Dugger checked into the emergency room at LCRH later Monday night for an unknown medical problem, and he was admitted into the hospital’s intensive care unit.
“At about 8:45 a.m. this morning (Tuesday), officers received a 911 call from hospital staff
saying Dugger was attempting to flee, but when officers arrived Dugger had already
managed to get away,” Smith stated in a press release.
Smith said Dugger appears to be McWain’s boyfriend.
Dugger is still at large, and an active warrant is currently out on him for two counts of second-degree assault. Smith said there may be additional charges “of a similar level of violence” handed down.
Dugger is considered dangerous, and Smith said officers received information that Dugger is armed with a handgun.
“By all means, we’re going to take this information very seriously,” Smith said.
Dugger appears to have a history of violence. He was convicted in 1995, at age 17, of manslaughter in the death of Joe Franklin Bryant, 36, who was shot and killed.
“We don’t want anybody involved in the situation on either side to be harmed,” said Smith.
Smith said the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department has assisted in the case.
If anyone has information that may lead officers to where Dugger may be, they are asked to call their local 911 center, or the Somerset Police 24-Crime Tip Line at (606) 676-TIPS.
All callers may remain anonymous.
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