KPD e-News Release: Two Suspects Arrested Following Stabbing During Parking Lot Fight

Kingsport Police Department

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.govwww.KingsportPDBlog.com

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Two Suspects Arrested Following Stabbing During Parking Lot Fight
DATE: April 14, 2017
CASE #: 17-008429
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On April 13, 2017 at approximately 10:30 PM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers and Detectives were dispatched to a report of a fight that had resulted in a stabbing in the parking lot of McAlister’s Deli, located at 2003 North Eastman Road in Kingsport. Responding officers encountered multiple witnesses who advised that Austin Cody Nidiffer had just stabbed two men. The resultant investigation revealed the following:

Mr. Nidiffer and a 23 year old adult black male victim had encountered one another in the parking lot and a fight ensued. The exact cause of this initial physical altercation is not known. The two disengaged and Mr. Nidiffer returned to the passenger seat of a gold Honda sedan. The black male victim immediately realized that he had been stabbed by Mr. Nidiffer, resulting in severe lacerations to his back.

A second victim, a 20 year old adult white male, witnessed the fight and went to the Honda to prevent Mr. Nidiffer from leaving. Mr. Nidiffer exited the car and stabbed the white male victim resulting in a deep cut to his arm. At the time of this second stabbing, another suspect, Gregory A. Fletcher, was occupying the driver’s seat of the Honda.

Both victims were transported to an area emergency medical facility by Sullivan County E.M.S. for treatment. Both suspects and both victims were previously acquainted with one another prior to this incident.

Inside the Honda, near where Mr. Nidiffer was sitting, officers found a folding knife, believed to have been used in the stabbings. A grinder and a set of digital scales, both commonly associated with illegal drug activity, were located in plain view in the console of the vehicle. Small baggies containing a green plant material believed to be Marijuana were recovered from two locations in the car. One was sticking out from under the passenger seat while another was within a shirt in the back seat.

Mr. Nidiffer and Mr. Fletcher were arrested and transported to the Kingsport City Jail. Mr. Nidiffer was charged with 1) Aggravated Assault, 2) Simple Possession of a Schedule VI Drug (Marijuana), and 3) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia. He was also found to be wanted on pre-existing outstanding warrants out of both Sullivan and Washington Counties. He currently remains confined, awaiting arraignment, in lieu of a $31,500 bond as set by the presiding magistrate.

Mr. Fletcher was charged with 1) Simple Possession of a Schedule VI Drug (Marijuana) and 2) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia. Mr. Fletcher was later released after posting a $1,500 bond as set by the presiding magistrate.

SUSPECT #1 INFORMATION
Name Austin Cody Nidiffer
Age Date of Birth 1/11/1996

21 Years of Age

Gender/Race Male/White
Residency 2327 Highway 126

Bristol, TN

Charge(s) 1) Aggravated Assault

2) Simple Possession of a Schedule VI Drug (Marijuana)

3) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia (Grinder and Scales)

4) Also held on pre-existing outstanding warrants out of both Sullivan and Washington Counties

SUSPECT #2 INFORMATION
Name Gregory A. Fletcher
Age Date of Birth 8/1/1995

21 Years of Age

Gender/Race Male/White
Residency 1601 Harrison Avenue

Kingsport, TN

Charge(s) 1) Simple Possession of a Schedule VI Drug (Marijuana)

2) Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia (Grinder and Scales)

VICTIM #1 INFORMATION
Name Not Released
Age 23 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/Black
Residency Kingsport, TN
Injuries Severe Lacerations to Back
VICTIM #2 INFORMATION
Name Not Released
Age 20 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/White
Residency Kingsport, TN
Injuries Deep Laceration to Arm
RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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