Police: Newport Man Angry about Getting Sprayed Hits Victim with Crowbar

Newport police charged Antonio Bernard Carson, 52, of 20 Chapel St., Newport, with felony assault with a dangerous weapon Monday after he allegedly hit another man with a crow bar during an argument on Sunday.

Police said Carson committed the assault in response to being sprayed with a garden hose twice during an escalating argument with the victim.

The victim told police they were hanging out during the day with no issues. When he started washing a boat, an argument about how the boat was being washed ensued.

The victim said that he “playfully” sprayed Carson with a hose before Carson got angry, grabbed the crow bar and attacked.

Carson, who was arrested on Monday, told police that he was sprayed once by the victim and told him to stop or he would “get it.”

When he was sprayed again, he told police that a shoving match started, causing him to pick up the metal handle that he said is part of a floor jack and struck the victim once in the arm.

Carson said that he was trying to stop the fight.

Carson was arraigned in Second Division District Court and released on surety bail. He entered no plea, which is customary for felony arraignments in District Court and is due to return to court on Sept. 3 for an attorney general screening conference.

A no-contact order was issued.