One arrested after screwdriver fight

A local man was arrested after he was accused of threatening to blind another man with a screwdriver during a domestic disturbance.

At about 3:40 p.m. Wednesday, Columbus police were called to the 200 block of Smith Street about a fight in progress, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.

Officers spoke to an individual who said he stopped to visit a friend at his friend’s home when he was confronted by Dirk C. Neal, 36, Columbus, Harris said.

The victim said he is blind in one eye and Neal threatened to damage his other eye with a screwdriver so he would be completely blind, Harris said. Neal swung the screwdriver at the victim’s head and missed, but Neal then knocked him to the ground, Harris said.

The victim told police he was able to fight Neal off by swinging a bike lock at him.

Officers arrested Neal on charges of intimidation with a deadly weapon and battery, Harris said.

For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.