Crime & Safety

Facebook Sparks "Jerry Springer" Incident

Posts on social network leads to couple assaulting girlfriend's cousin.

A boyfriend and girlfriend have been charged with assaulting a 29-year-old woman in front of her Mayfield home. 

The incident occurred Aug. 16, at about 10:45 p.m. in the 400 block of Gate Street in the Mayfield neighborhood. 

According to Natatia Bledsoe, public information officer for the Fredericksburg Police Department, the dispute began as an argument on Facebook before becoming violent. Once incited, Fredericksburg resident John Bostick, 37, and his girlfriend Sharnae Minor-Ellis, 30, went over to the victims house and called her into the front yard. Once outside, police say the two began assaulting the victim, knocking out five teeth in the process.

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The victim was also a cousin of Minor-Ellis.

"This is more of a Jerry Springer type incident", said Bledsoe. "We don't know the content of these Facebook postings, but it is what reportedly sparked the assault."

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The victim was transorted to the hospital for treatment of her dental injuries. 

Minor-Ellis was charged with malicious wounding and assault by mob. She was released on a $2,000 bond. 

Bostick was charged with assault by mob and released on personal recognizance. 

Fights and Facebook are nothing new in Fredericksburg. Earlier this year, the principal of James Monroe High School and called for parents to monitor the activities of their children online. 


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