18 Year Old Nearly Beat to Death over "Bicycle Deal Gone Bad", ONALASKA, September 21, 2010 - At approximately 8 pm on September 20, 2010, Deputy Dustin Lowery with the Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call for service from the subdivision of Yaupon Cove in Onalaska. The call was in reference to an assault that had already occurred at the victim's residence. According to Detective Christopher Lima, the 18 year old white male had been beaten badly. An ambulance had also been dispatched and the victim was stabilized by EMS personnel and flown to Houston by medical helicopter. According to Lima, a criminal investigation immediately began at the scene and a search for suspects ensued.
At approximately 10:30 pm Captain Rickie Childers located a person of interest walking near the scene of the crime. The person was identified as Nicholas Gaskins, 23, of Onalaska. Childers spoke with Gaskins who immediately admitted to being involved and stated that he had been fighting with the victim. Gaskins was transported to the Polk County Sheriff's Office where he was interviewed by investigators. Gaskins admitted to assaulting the victim in what he stated was a "deal gone bad over a bicycle". A confession was obtained. Gaskins allegedly beat his victim with his hands.
Gaskins has been charged with aggravated assault and booked into Polk County Jail and is being held under a $50,000 bond issued by Justice of the Peace Steven McEntyre. At time of press, the victim (whose name is being withheld) remains in Hermann Hospital in Houston in critical condition.
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