21-year-old Javon Smith and an unidentified individual attacked Robert Lee Russel Jr. in the chapel at the Nashville Rescue Mission on Lafayette Street around 8 p.m. on March 13th. Medical personnel advised officers as they arrived that Russel Jr. was knocked unconscious, his left eye was swollen shut, and he sustained a fractured orbital bone. Russel Jr. was transported to the hospital, and officers reviewed footage from the security cameras. The footage showed Smith initiating a fight with Russel Jr. by punching him and then being joined by the unknown attacker. The unknown attacker also punched Russel Jr., which knocked him down to the floor. While Russel Jr. was on the ground, both of the men struck him repeatedly until he lost consciousness. Then, Smith bent down to him and moved off-screen for about five seconds, during which the other assailant punched Russel Jr. multiple times. Detectives observed Smith at the scene, walking into the Mission. Smith was detained and taken into custody for aggravated assault.
Javon D. Smith was booked into the Metro Nashville Jail on March 13th, charged with aggravated assault. A judicial commissioner set his bond at $25,000.
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