One arrested, one hospitalized after fight over loud music in Poplar Bluff

POLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff man remained in a intensive care Monday after he was allegedly cut late Friday night with a box cutter by a downstairs neighbor following reports of loud music and noise coming from his apartment.

Timothy Hartwick, 45, underwent surgery for what authorities described as a serious laceration to his neck. He was in the intensive care unit at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

His alleged attacker, William Fanter, 33, is being held in the Butler County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

On Saturday, Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour charged Fanter with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

The charges stem from an incidentshortly before midnight Friday. Poplar Bluff police officers, according to reports, earlier had responded to a complaint by Fanter, who accused Hartwick of having loud music and noise coming from his upstairs apartment, which was hindering sleep by members of Fanter's household.

It reportedly was quiet for about 10 minutes after officers left, however, the music, as well as what was described as stomping and drawers slamming, allegedly resumed.

A "fight ensued, and the suspect struck [Hartwick] on the neck with a box cutter," patrolman Darron Moore said in his report.

Fanter reported he carried the box cutter, which he uses on his job, in a pocket.

Emergency medical services personnel responded and took Hartwick to the hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and required numerous units of blood, Moore said.

Fanter, who was arrested at 12:40 a.m., was told of his rights and subsequently "signed a written statement admitting to the assault," Moore said.

Pertinent address;

Poplar Bluff, MO