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Man charged with attempted murder of father

By Peggy Blackburn
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A family argument escalated into physical violence and an attempted murder charge Thursday afternoon on Elmore Road in Wetumpka. According to the statement Matthew Clark gave We�-tumpka police officers, his brother, Eric Clark, attacked both him and his father, Charles Clark.

“Matthew said Eric was involved in a heated verbal confrontation with their father, and when he tried to get between them his brother started a physical conflict with him,” said Lt. Gary Edwards of the Wetumpka PD. “Apparently the father then tried to break up the brothers and he was struck and knocked unconscious.”

The situation worsened quickly, Edwards said.

“Eric then returned to physically fighting with his brother,” said Edwards. “Matthew escaped outside to try to call 911, but then Eric attacked him with a crowbar.”

Eventually, Matthew Clark was able to dial for help.

“We received the 911 call of a disturbance at 1:02 p.m.,” said Edwards. “Officers responded immediately and discovered that Mr. Clark was seriously injured, so they called for emergency transport.

“The subject (Eric Clark) had barricaded himself in a bedroom,” he continued. “Officers from the Wetumpka Police Department and Elmore County Sheriff’s Office arrested him without incident.”

Clark was charged with attempted murder and first-degree assault and placed in the Elmore County Jail. A bond hearing was held Friday.

“We requested no bond because we believe that the subject could be a danger to the community,” said Edwards. “Bond was set at $1 million �“ $500,000 on each charge.”

Edwards said no officers were injured during the incident, and Eric Clark suffered no serious injuries.

“The brother sustained serious- to minor-injuries and was treated and released,” said Edwards. “The father is in serious, but stable, condition at Baptist South in Montgomery. He had surgery last night, and it appears that he will be OK.

“This was a very volatile situation when we first got there,” he added. “We’re fortunate that there weren’t injuries to officers, also.”

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