Man Accused Of Assaulting Tuscaloosa County Couple And Children; Killing Family Dog

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A suspect has been jailed on multiple felony charges after allegedly breaking into a Tuscaloosa County residence and assaulting multiple occupants early Friday morning near the Hale County line.

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Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, told local media that at approximately 3:30 a.m., Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s deputies responded a residence in the 11000 block of Greymont Boulevard — a neighborhood in Tuscaloosa County, but with a Moundville address.

Kennedy explained the residence was occupied by a female homeowner, a male acquaintance/boyfriend, and the woman's two children, both of whom are under the age of 12.

Investigators learned that an ex-boyfriend of the homeowner — 29-year-old Nicholas Lynch —had forcibly broken into the residence and assaulted the occupants.

"The male victim had been stabbed several times during the altercation resulting in non-life threatening injuries," Kennedy said. "At some point both children were also assaulted, resulting in minor injuries."

Kennedy said both adult victims exited the residence without the children and deputies soon arrived and cleared the residence, before locating both children, who were hiding in different parts of the house. He went on to say that the family dog had also been allegedly killed by Lynch, who was missing after investigators first responded to the dispute.

While the reasoning behind killing the dog is not known at this time, Kennedy said it is believed the dog could have possibly been something commonly owned by both the suspect and the owner of the residence.

To locate Lynch, Kennedy said a perimeter was set up and deputies utilized canine and aerial drone assets, along with ending an IPAWS emergency phone alert to the surrounding area.

"The Drone Unit was able to locate [Lynch] hiding in a wooded area, and deputies and investigators converged and took him into custody," he said.

Lynch was charged with domestic violence-burglary 1st degree, attempted murder, aggravated animal cruelty, and two counts of third-degree assault.

Lynch is currently being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail with his bond yet to be set.

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