Two Decatur County employees were arrested late last Wednesday, Dec. 24, at the Decatur County Industrial Park.
Decatur County Sheriff’s Office deputies found Industrial Park Manager Eric Swain and Waste Water Plant Supervisor David Knight at the plant around 10 p.m. after receiving a 911 call reporting a possible assault in progress.
Knight was found lying on the floor of the plant with a wound on his back and a knife beside him. Swain was found outside the plant with what appeared to be blood on his face, according to incident reports.
EMTs arrived on the scene and assessed Knight’s wound was a cut. Knight and Swain refused further treatment.
Both were arrested and charged with battery. They bonded out at 3:13 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 25.
Decatur County Administrator Gary Breedlove said both employees had been terminated.
DCSO investigator Gale Bowyer said there was evidence that alcohol was involved in the incident.
“The indication was due to the heavy rains, they were working some a little late,” Bowyer said, also mentioning they had attended a Plant Christmas Cookout earlier that day as well.
Interviews revealed the 911 call was made by Knight’s girlfriend, who stated she had been called by Knight and asked to call 911. After doing so, she drove to the plant to see what was wrong. Swain’s wife also arrived at the scene and said she had been trying to contact Swain for hours.
Knight and Swain had both told their significant others they were working that afternoon, according to reports.
The case is currently under investigation.a