NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-A North Platte man has been arrested on assault charges after a disagreement on social media according to police.
According to North Platte Police on July 22 at 1:55 AM an officer responded to the area of 4th and Welch to meet with victims of a reported assault that occurred near the intersection of F and Silber.
Police say the officer met with a 23-year-old male victim, a 53-year-old male victim and a witness.
It was reported that the 23-year-old victim had a text message disagreement over social media with Mason Shavlik.
Police say the subjects mutually agreed to meet near F and Silber Streets to air their grievances.
According to police, the 53-year-old victim and witness accompanied the 23-year-old to meet with Mason Shavlik.
Police say it was reported by both victims that upon arriving at F and Silber Streets, Shavlik attacked the 23-year-old with a baseball bat. The 53-year-old reported he attempted to intervene and was struck in the torso and head by Mason. The victims and witness were able to drive away from the scene to 4th and Welch where they notified police.
Police say the 23-year-old had visible injuries in the form of lacerations to the body and mouth along with swelling to the head. He was transported to GPH where he has since been released. The 53-year-old was not transported.
On July 23, officers had contact with Shavlik at his residence in the 700 block of East F Street. He was taken into custody on suspicion 2nd-degree assault. Officers also spoke with an additional witness who provided more information.
The victims were recontacted and their version of events was inconsistent with what was initially reported.
Police say it doesn't appear likely that a baseball bat or blunt weapon was used by Mason to assault the victims. Officers do have information that a firearm was possibly brandished and/or fired by a party during the disturbance.
Police say the investigation is still active and once this information was gathered the charges against Mason were amended to a 3rd-degree assault.