ARTESIA — What started as an argument between two women ended with numerous fist fights in the middle of Front Street in Artesia and two men arrested.
The incident began Monday around 3:40 p.m. at 405 Ellis St. when Amanda Hill and Quanesha Johnson, both of Artesia, had a physical altercation. Before Lowndes County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark McGairty could arrive at the scene, Johnson had left, LCSO Chief Deputy Greg Wright said.
A second call came in reporting a traffic accident a few blocks away at Front Street, but the wreck was the least of McGairty’s concerns.
“When the deputy arrived on scene, there were a couple subjects in the road there in a physical altercation,” Wright said. “He called for additional assistance and was able to get those people in custody.”
Malcolm Hill, 20, of 395 Ellis St. in Artesia, and Marrio Montrell Brown, 30, of 149 Front St. in Artesia both were arrested on charges of disobeying a police officer and disorderly conduct. Malcolm Hill, the brother of Amanda Hill, also was charged with domestic violence.
Both were transported to the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center.
At the time of the arrests, other fights were taking place in the same area, Wright said. At least five more deputies came to assist in keeping the area under control.
“There were several altercations in that area,” Wright said. “(The deputies) were able to restore some calm to make sense of what was going on.”
An investigation of the brawls is under way; no other arrests had been made as of Wednesday morning.
“LCSO Investigator Travis Robinson has been talking to people and getting statements,” Wright said. “Exactly what the connection is between these guys fighting on Front Street and the initial incident, I do not know.”
However, Wright said deputies put together a few pieces to the puzzle.
“Quanesha was over there at 405 Ellis St. talking to a subject outside the house. Amanda and her mother (Elsie Hill) went outside to tell them to leave the property, and that’s when the fight broke out,” Wright said. “Quanesha had left the scene, and she drove that way in her vehicle and had the accident. … According to Elsie, there is a history between these two girls.”
Both females received cuts and were transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle for treatment, Wright said.
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