| A Ritchie County man has been arrested on an assault charge after troopers said that he attacked another man with a shovel handle.
On Friday, January 25, troopers with the West Virginia State Police Department responded to a disturbance on Lowther Street in Cairo. Upon arrival, troopers spoke with the victim, John Ankrom, who advised them that Kyle Cooper, 39, of Cairo had followed him down the street before saying "I'm going to kill you," and striking him in the head with a blunt object.
Ankrom advised law enforcement that he temporarily lost consciousness as a result of Cooper striking him in the head. Troopers said they observed lacerations to the left side of Ankrom's face and that he was transported to Camden Clark Memorial Hospital for further treatment.
On January 26, troopers spoke with Ankrom again, who advised them he sustained two broken facial bones from the altercation with Cooper.
Also on January 26, troopers said they spoke with a witness who said they saw Cooper strike Ankrom in the head with a shovel handle.
According to a criminal complaint, Cooper has been charged with malicious assault and is currently being held at North Central Regional Jail.
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