Suspect charged with battery for fight on the Strip

By Bill Lukitsch, @Bill_LukitschDE

A brawl involving two men and a dog was captured on camera and posted to social media early Saturday morning by an SIU student.

Carbondale police officers responded to a report of people fighting on the 500 block of S. Illinois Avenue on Saturday at 1:37 a.m., according to police. An argument between three acquaintances led to one suspect throwing a dog onto the street near the Old Town Liquor store.

The suspect, Donnell Hopkins, 39, of Carbondale, was bit by the dog several times and brought to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. Police have charged Hopkins with battery, and he was released on a notice to appear in City court. A fight ensued between Hopkins and another man after the dog was thrown, according to police.

The video shows a man who fits Hopkins’ description throwing a dog and then engaging in a fight with a white male. The dog is also seen biting the leg of the man police have identified as Hopkins.

The two men fought for about 15 seconds before bystanders intervened.

The video was posted to Twitter by Stephan Bickham, a freshman from Chicago studying exercise science. Bickham did not respond to request for comment.

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The video has been retweeted more than 500 times.

The investigation of this incident is ongoing, according to police. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the City of Carbondale Police Department at (618) 457-3200.

Bill Lukitsch can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Bill_LukitschDE

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