Crime & Safety

Four Arrested in Assault at Bella Vista Subdivsion

Four men are arrested after a violent altercation on Sunday night.

Four men have been arrested following a violent altercation in the Bella Vista subdivision on Sunday.

The St. Peters Police Department has arrested four men accused of assaulting a man with a baseball bat. The victim of the attack, Michael C. Matthews, 19 of St. Charles County, was taken to St. Joseph's East Hospital where he is currently listed in critical condition.

Brandon C. Claspill, Dwayne L. Gibson, Joseph Q. Lacombe and Tevin T. Parks were all arrested following Sunday's incident. Claspill has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon. Gibson is charged with assault in the first and armed criminal action. Lacombe is charged with assault in the second and armed criminal action. Parks has been charged with assault in the first and armed criminal action. 

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According to the St. Peters Police, officers received a call at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011, to respond to the 300 block of Madeira Court in Bella Vista subdivision, for a large fight in progress. When the officers arrived on the scene, many of the people involved in the assault had fled the area. 

The victim of the assault, Matthews, was still on scene and had a noticeable head injury. He was transported to St. Joseph’s East Hospital by ambulance, where he is currently listed in serious condition. 

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A second victim at the scene had an arm injury, but refused medical attention.

Prior to the Matthews being injured, he got into a physical altercation with Gibson in which no weapons were used, according to police. After the initial assault, suspect Brandon Clapsill allegedly displayed a loaded .45 caliber handgun in attempts to threaten the other persons present at the scene. At this time, Gibson retrieved an aluminum baseball bat and has admitted to police to striking the victim in the head with the bat, causing Matthews to be injured. 

After Matthews was struck in the head, and lying injured face down on the ground, suspect Parks allegedly struck Matthews at least two times with the bat in the torso region.

Lacombe is also accused of using a bat to strike the second victim at the scene in the hand and arm.

All suspects involved in the assault were located and arrested. A search warrant was obtained to search Brandon Clapsill’s residence and all weapons used in the incident were recovered.

The suspects are currently being held at the and will soon be transferred to St. Charles County Corrections.

The suspects are described as:

Name: Brandon C. Claspill

  • Black male, 18 years old
  • Residence: 300 block of Madeira Court, St. Peters
  • Unemployed
  • Charge: Unlawful Use of a Weapon
  • Bond: $50,000

Name: Dwayne L. Gibson

  • Black male, 19 years old
  • 1200 Park Ashwood, St. Charles
  • Unemployed
  • Charges:Assault First and Armed Criminal Action
  • Bond:$100,000

Name: Joseph Q. Lacombe

  • Black male, 18 years old
  • 1400 block of Caulks Hill Drive, St. Charles
  • Unemployed
  • Charges: Assault Second and Armed Criminal Action
  • Bond:$100,000

Name: Tevin T. Parks

  • Black male, 19 years old
  • 1200 block of Mendoza Drive, St. Peters
  • Unemployed
  • Charges: Assault First and Armed Criminal Action
  • Bond:$100,000


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