On Sunday, September 8th, 2024, at approximately 9:58 pm, GFPD officers were dispatched to the 700 block of 1st Alley North regarding a disturbance or possible fight.
Officers arrived on the scene and were contacted by the reporting party, who stated that a group of people who were fighting had gone eastbound down the alley to an area out of view. Officers went around the corner of a building and into the alley where they discovered an unconscious adult male who was lying in a pool of blood. The male victim had an obvious serious head wound and officers immediately notified dispatch to send medical units to their location. The male victim was transported to Benefis Health Systems Emergency Department. No suspects were in the area.
Officers located exterior surveillance cameras on a business and were able to contact the owner. The owner was able to review the video and send a copy to the officers. Three suspects were seen attacking the victim and two of them were seen stomping on the victim’s head. One of the suspects rummaged through the victim’s pockets.
GFPD officers continued their investigation throughout the evening and identified one of the suspects as 19-year-old male, Ethanel P. Pherigo. Pherigo was later located, arrested, and charged with Aggravated Assault (MCA 45-5-202 / Felony). The investigation continued into the next morning and on September 9th, 2024, officers located the two other suspects – 19-year-old male, Shaun A. Deberry, and a 14-year-old male juvenile. Both Deberry and the juvenile were arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault.
The condition of the male victim is still critical. All suspects directly involved in the incident are in custody and there is no additional threat to the public.
