Managing Editor

An assault that has left Troy resident Phil Moore hospitalized has resulted in the arrest of another Troy resident and former co-worker of Moore in the Pike County Jail.

On Jan. 12, James Edward Reed, 48, was arrested without incident at his residence and was charged with first-degree assault, said Sgt. Benny Scarbrough, public information officer for the Troy Police Department.

"Troy police processed and incarcerated him based on an incident that occurred in the workplace," Scarbrough said. "There was apparently some sort of problem that led to Moore’s attack."

Reed allegedly attacked Moore in the early morning hours Monday, Jan. 10 at Sanders Company, using a "chopblock" as a weapon, police said. The attack left Moore badly mangled and he was later admitted to Edge Regional Medical Center.

Scarbrough said the "chop block" is a wooden implement. He said the weapon inflicted substantial wounds to Moore.

"When the police arrived to assist the victim, the suspect had left the scene," Scarbrough said. "We arrested Mr. Reed on Jan. 12 for first-degree assault."

Scarbrough said the details of the incident are under investigation, but preliminary reports are that no altercation prior to the attack occurred between the victim and his alleged attacker.

At press time, Reed was in the Pike County Jail after bond was set at $50,000.

Troy Police Chief Anthony Everage expressed remorse about the attack

"This is an unfortunate incident and we hope to get to the bottom of what happened," Everage said. "We are concerned for the victim in this incident and hope to see him have a swift recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."

Arrested in a separate incident that occurred on Jan. 10 was Ricky Lamar, 24, of Glenwood, Ala. Lamar and a second suspect reportedly were planning to mug a victim in the Segars Street Housing Project when one of the attackers fired his handgun and wounded the victim of the attack. The incident occurred at 9:30 p.m.

A warrant has been issued for another suspect, and police expect a second arrest will be forthcoming, Scarbrough said.

Lamar has been charged with attempted murder and is currently in the Pike County Jail.

"We are continuing the investigation and hope to bring the case to a resolution," Everage said.