Columbia Police Investigators are releasing a surveillance picture of the male suspect accused of assaulting a female Park Ranger yesterday morning.
The incident happened around 11:00 a.m. at 4122 River Drive after the ranger told the man that fishing was prohibited at that location.
The victim reported to responding officers that the male became agitated and assaulted her by forcefully pushing her into rocks, causing a back injury.
A male witness was nearby and tried to help, but the suspect allegedly threw his glasses into the water before running away from the scene.
The park ranger was initially taken to a local hospital for her non-life threatening injury, and has since been released by medical staff. No one else was physically hurt during the incident.
Citizens with information about the assault or who recognize the male in the picture should contact Crimestoppers in any of the following ways:
CALL toll-free, 888-CRIME-SC.
TEXT to CRIMES (274637), and mark the beginning of the message with “TIPSC,” followed by the tip information.
LOG onto: www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the red “Submit a tip” tab.
