‘I beat him’: Victim beaten with fists, toy crossbow at Altoona home, police report

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Bare fists and a toy crossbow were used by an Altoona man to beat a person who was in his house, police said.

Altoona police said they were called to the home of 34-year-old John McConnell Jr. just before 9 p.m. Thursday, April 25. Police said they spoke to McConnell, the victim and a witness in the home.

A woman in the home told police the assault was over a love triangle, according to the criminal complaint. She said she invited the victim over to the house and McConnell got home and kicked the door open. She told police she didn’t see anything between the two but heard them fighting. She said she saw blood on the floor, on the door and outside on a toy crossbow.

While speaking with McConnell, police said he admitted to beating the victim. “I beat him with my fists. Straight jabbin’ straight to the face.” McConnell allegedly admitted to busting them up and making them bleed before throwing the victim out of his house, the complaint reads.

The victim was taken to UPMC Altoona and later told police that McConnell grabbed them and threw them to the floor, according to charges filed. McConnell allegedly struck the victim numerous times as they went down the stairs from the kitchen to the basement and out the backdoor. They said that’s when McConnell grabbed a toy crossbow and began hitting them in the face numerous times — hard enough to break the crossbow. According to the complaint, they said McConnell struck them at least 20 times, claiming McConnell kept them from leaving at first.

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McConnell was arraigned Friday morning on charges of aggravated assault – attempt to cause serious injury, terroristic threats, simple assault and false imprisonment. He was released after posting $50,000 bond.

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