UPDATE: Two arrested after video of fight at Salisbury gas station goes viral
After video of a fight at a gas station in Salisbury went viral, Police say they have made two arrests.
Salisbury Police say on Sunday around 9:50 PM, Officers responded to the Shell Station on Snow Hill Road for reports of a fight. Once on scene, Police say they didn’t find any victims, witnesses, or any other evidence of an assault, at that time.
The next day, Investigators say they learned of a video that had been posted on social media, of the alleged incident. According to court documents, the video shows two men actively fighting, with one punching and kicking the other in the face, before starting to choke him from behind. Detectives say they watched the video, and confirmed that two people had actually fought at the Snow Hill Road gas station, the night before.
Police say they were able to identify those involved as 18-year-old Elijah Fooks, of Salisbury, and 31-year-old Marcus Smiley, of Fruitland, who then both admitted to the mutual assault.
During the investigation, Detectives say Fooks said that he had walked up to a car that Smiley was a passenger in, thinking it was a friend, but when he realized that it wasn’t. He then apparently apologized, and walked away. Fooks then reportedly told investigators that Smiley was mad about the incident, and the two exchanged words, before Smiley got out of the car and confronted Fooks. Police say Fooks told them that pulled up his pants before, throwing the first punch, and the two fought in the parking lot.
Smiley reportedly told Investigators that when he arrived at the gas station, Fooks had stuck his head into the vehicle where Smiley was a passenger, and was trying to involve him in an illegal drug transaction, which upset him, as he had his child in the car. Court documents state that when Fooks walked away, Smiley felt that Fooks might have had a concealed weapon, after he messed with his waistband. It was at this point, the Smiley told Investigators that he feared for the safety of his family, and got out of the car to fight Fooks.
During the fight, Police say it was Smiley who gained the upper hand, punching, kicking, and choking Fooks. A third unknown man apparently intervened in the incident, before leaving the scene. Police say both men suffered minor injuries, with Smiley saying he injured his right jaw and both hands, while Fooks said he had swelling to his left eye, and abrasions to his face.
On Thursday, Police say they arrested both Fooks, and Smiley. After their arrests, both men were charged with assault second degree, with Smiley additionally charged with reckless endangerment.
Police say during Fooks’ arrest, he was under investigation for shop lifting from Royal Farms on Baptist Street, during which he was uncooperative with Officers, and fled. He was eventually taken into custody, and connected to the Shell Station incident. He is apparently also now facing an obstruction and hindering charge for the Royal Farms incident.
