The Saline County Sheriff’s Office says they received a call at approximately 9 a.m. on Friday, February 28 in regards to an assault that had taken place on a farm facility on 105th Road just south of Marshall Junction.

According to a witness, when he and the victim arrived to check on cattle at the facility, Aaron Smith approached them and began assaulting the victim. The witness stated that Smith began striking the victim with a closed fist in the face several times, then kicked him on the ground, hit him with a feed bucket and attempted to hit him with an axe handle. The witness said the owner of the facility, who is also Smith’s father, intervened and told Smith to leave the area.

When deputies arrived at the victim’s residence, the witness was visibly shaken, but denied being assaulted or injured. He stated when they arrived at the farm facility, Aaron Smith came over as they got out of the truck, and yelled profanities a them, accusing them of “starving the cows”, then he began striking the victim with his closed right fist multiple times. The witness to the alleged assault said he saw Smith wrap the victim’s jacket around his head, got him on the ground, and continued to hit and kick him. The victim reportedly attempted to roll under the truck to get away from Smith, and Smith grabbed a feed bucket, striking the victim with it. Smith went to the driver side back of his truck (described as a newer model, 4-door pickup, red in color, with bale spikes attached to the rear) and grabbed an axe handle, then approached the victim again. The victim was able to get away from Smith, who was unable to land a strike with the axe handle. The witness stated the owner of the facility, Smith’s father, showed up and stopped Aaron.

The victim was not able to speak over the phone as he was bleeding profusely from his mouth and nose. A deputy met the victim at his residence where the victim stated he was experiencing pain from the assault. The victim was reportedly examined at Fitzgibbon Hospital where they transferred him to University of Missouri Columbia due to the fractures and facial trauma he sustained.
Smith has been charged with a Class B Felony for Assault in the First Degree. Bond was set at $50,000 cash or surety. Smith posted the 10% required for his bond on Monday, March 2, 2020.

His initial arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18 at Saline County Circuit Court.