Teen remains hospitalized with injuries

An El Dorado teenager remained hospitalized Thursday with serious injuries he sustained after being cut in the throat during an altercation earlier this week.

Police Chief Billy White said the 17-year-old boy’s condition was stable but still classified as critical at Medical Center of South Arkansas.

Two people, one of whom is also a 17-year-old boy, have been arrested in connection to the incident that was reported Monday at a residence in the 500 block of North Parkway.

The teen who has been accused of cutting the victim faces a charge of first-degree battery — a charge that was determined during a first appearance/detention hearing that was held Wednesday in Union County Circuit Court.

He remains in the custody of Union County juvenile authorities, White said.

Treshun T. McDuffie, 20, was arrested Monday as an accessory to first-degree battery.

According to a police report, McDuffie and the victim had gone to the 17-year-old suspect’s residence when the incident occurred.

“He went to the location with the juvenile to engage in an altercation, something he knew was more than likely to occur,” White explained,

referring to McDuffie. “That’s why he’s being charged as an accessory.”

Bond was set at $5,000, cash or corporate surety, for McDuffie during a first appearance hearing Wednesday in 35th Judicial District Court.

McDuffie was released on bond shortly after his court appearance.

Just before 3 p.m. Monday, officers received calls in reference to a stabbing and were dispatched to the North Parkway residence and Medical Center of South Arkansas, where the victim had been transported by private vehicle.

The investigation is continuing. Detectives were able to briefly speak to the victim on Thursday, White said.

McDuffie told police that neither he nor the victim complied with demands by the suspect to leave the residence.

He said an altercation ensued between the 17-year-old boys, and the suspect produced a knife.

McDuffie and a witness reported seeing the suspect swing and make slashing motions toward the victim, who left the scene on foot while holding his neck.

He was driven to the hospital after he stopped in front of a residence in the 500 block of Jewel Lane.