UPDATE: PIKE CENTRAL STUDENT ARRESTED IN RELATION TO FIGHT WITH LAWRENCE COUNTY PLayer… charged with 2nd degree assault
Updated: Thursday morning 8:42am May 07, 2015
MAY 6, 2015 – written by WADE QUEEN
An 18-year-old Pike County adult teenager faces a felony assault charge following an altercation during a baseball game involving LCHS.
Officials with the Pike County Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for a Pike Central baseball player following a scuffle during a baseball game involving Lawrence County High School and Pike Central High School.
Brad Elkins, age 18, faces a 2nd degree assault charge after a criminal complaint was filed by the victim’s father following the Lawrence County-Pike Central game on Tuesday night.
The victim from Lawrence County is 17 years old who has not yet ben identified. He did not suffer any broken bones or any serious injuries from the altercation, and went home Tuesday night after the his treatment at a local hospital in Pikeville.
Under a Kentucky law, 2nd degree assault is a serious felony, punishable by up to 10 years in a state prison.
Elkins was arrested and taken to Pike County Detention Center Wednesday morning. Brad Elkins was booked but bonded out shortly after.
Elkins was ejected following the incident and officials ended the game early with the Bulldogs getting the 9-5 win..
Pike Central Principal David Rowe says Elkins has been an outstanding student-athlete for four years and has never been in any trouble before.
Elkins has signed to play football at Union College. The following statement was released pertaining to the incident on behalf of Union college:
“We are currently aware of the situation involving Brad Elkins and will continue to monitor the situation closely as all the facts and details emerge. Once this process is complete, appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken”.
Lawrence County Schools Superintendent Robbie Fletcher issued the following statement to The Lazer:
“During the May 5th baseball game between Pike Central and Lawrence County High School, an altercation occurred that resulted in the ejection of a player. School officials from both school districts have been in contact with each other, and I have contacted KHSAA officials concerning an investigation into the event.
Without releasing specific information that may damage the investigation, the Lawrence County School District will do everything to support the investigation and our students”.
Lawrence County’s baseball team will return to Pike Central later this season for the 60th District tournament. Pike County Central officials say deputies will be there as a precaution.
‘Pike school officials stunned by actions of star player and model student’
“Wtnesses to the incident called it a case of smack talk gone too far.”
Pike Central school officials call it very uncharacteristic behavior on the part of Brad Elkins. He’s the shortstop for the Hawks baseball team and was ejected Tuesday night for throwing a punch in a game against Lawrence County and unfortunately for Elkins, that punch was caught on video by a fan.
Video appears to show Pike Central’s Brad Elkins punching a Lawrence County baserunner, knocking him to the ground. Lawrence County school officials say the player went to the hospital to be treated for his injuries and Wednesday the player’s father decided to file a charge against Elkins.
Chief Assistant Pike County Attorney Tommy Chamberlin said, “This is different than just your typical average ballgame spat that we see sometimes. This crosses the line into criminal behavior”.
Pike Central baseball coach Chris Lawson says Elkins has always played with passion, but never lost his temper like he did Tuesday night.
Pike Central’s Baseball Coach Chris Lawson said, “He apologized to me. Apologized to his teammates. He’s apologized to the administration here at Pike Central. He’s remorseful for his actions. Of course he wishes it hadn’t happened. It was a mistake and unfortunately he’s having to deal with it right now”.
Elkins is a three-sport star for the Hawks. Someone school officials point to as a model student athlete prior to this incident.
Pike Central High School Principal David Rowe mentioned, “He’s an outstanding student athlete here at our school. He plays all three sports. Just been a role model for our students. It was a big district rival and not that we condone what happened, but I think in the battle sometimes, he lost his composure and he made a bad mistake”.
A mistake that may cost him more than losing the ballgame.
Lawrence County won the game, 9-5, after it was called off early because of the incident. The Pike County attorney tells us Elkins will face a second degree assault charge. Lawrence County will return here to Pike Central later this month for the 60th District tournament and school officials tell me they’ll have a presence from the Pike County Sheriff’s Office here at the game.
