The Starkville Police Department said officers responded Sunday, May 17, after a report that a suspect entered a residence on Peoples Street at about 11 a.m., struck a victim with a bat and attempted to strangle her.
The victim was treated at Baptist Memorial Hospital–Oktibbeha County and later released, the department said. Blair Bell, 35, of Starkville, was charged with domestic violence — aggravated assault and residential burglary. Bell turned himself in Monday morning, police said.
The department cited statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence noting that 1 in 4 women (24.3 percent) and 1 in 7 men (13.8 percent) aged 18 and older in the United States have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime. The figures are intended to provide context about the prevalence of intimate partner violence, officials said.
The Starkville Police Department asked anyone with information about this incident or other criminal activity to call 662-323-4131, contact Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 800-530-7151 or submit an anonymous tip through the department’s website. Crime Stoppers may offer a cash reward, police said. This incident remains under investigation. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
