Pleasant Hope, MO – A man was charged after allegedly attacking another individual at a middle school basketball game. Charles Cooper confronted the victim in the parking lot, accusing him of hitting his dog with a car.
Witnesses reported the assault at Pleasant Hope Middle School. Cooper, wielding a metal flashlight, allegedly beat the 21-year-old victim while making threats about bloodshed.
During the attack, Cooper reportedly said, “You made my dog bleed internally, now I’m going to make you bleed internally.”
The confrontation began when the victim stepped outside for fresh air, as he became irritated with the game. An account from a probable cause statement reveals that Cooper approached the victim, yelling accusations.
The victim acknowledged hitting something on his way to the game but claimed he was unaware it was a dog. Following the altercation, Cooper allegedly knocked the victim to the ground and continued to assault him.
Multiple witnesses observed the incident and reported Cooper’s aggressive behavior. One female bystander yelled for him to stop, to which he responded with further justifications for his actions.
The victim sustained injuries and required hospitalization due to the attack. Cooper faces charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action, as outlined in court documents.