Matthew Wayne Burnett
FLORENCE-The Florence Police Department issued a statement concerning an assault that took place on Friday, April 17 in which one person was injured and taken to a local hospital:
“On April 17, 2020 at approximately 09:25, the Florence Police Department responded to a report of an assault in the 500 block of East Tombigbee Street.
The victim, a 46 year old male, and a witness fled on foot to the 800 block of East Tuscaloosa Street where they made contact with the first arriving officers.
Following an investigation by the Florence Police Department Patrol Division and the Criminal Investigations Division, it was determined that an argument over personal property escalated into a physical altercation in which the victim was struck in the face with a blunt object. The victim and witness attempted to flee on foot for several city blocks with the suspect chasing them, still armed with a blunt object. The suspect ceased his pursuit and returned to the scene of the assault where he was detained by patrol officers.
The suspect was identified as Matthew Wayne Burnett (W/M, 11-04-1998) and was subsequently arrested and charged with Assault 2nd Degree. Mr. Burnett is currently being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center. The victim was transported to North Alabama Medical Center where he is being treated for multiple facial fractures.”
