ELSBERRY MAN FACES FELONY ASSAULT CHARGE FOLLOWING HAWK POINT GAS STATION ALTERCATION

HAWK POINT, MO — An Elsberry man has been charged with felony assault following an altercation at a Hawk Point gas station that left another customer unconscious.

Jeffrey Shawn Letson faces a third-degree assault charge following the September 26 incident at the Phillips 66 station on South Highway 47. The confrontation reportedly began during an argument with a clerk over caffeine pouches obtained by Letson's teenage son.

According to allegations described in a police probable cause statement, another customer attempted to calm the dispute. Letson allegedly punched the customer, who fell, hit his head on concrete and lost consciousness.

An officer found Letson kneeling beside the injured customer. The man had injuries to his mouth and the back of his head. Paramedics treated him before he was transported to a Lake Saint Louis hospital with complaints of head, neck and back pain.

Letson reportedly acknowledged throwing a punch but said he had not intended to knock the man unconscious. He maintained that the customer had approached him aggressively.

Letson was taken to the Lincoln County Jail. Bond was set at $10,000 cash only, and he was ordered not to contact the alleged victim. A hearing was scheduled for October 8 at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Rebecca A. Richardson.

The case is pending under number 26L6-CR00621. Letson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.