New Mexico man

charged in Boone assault

An altercation early Wednesday morning seriously injured a man in Boone.

Christopher Charles Becker, 22, of Santa Fe, N.M., was charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury after he allegedly struck another man with a tire iron.

The victim, who has not been identified, was transported to the Watauga Medical Center and then on to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

A statement from the Boone Police Department indicates the man's injuries were not life-threatening.

Becker was located by Blowing Rock Police after the assault and taken before a Watauga County magistrate.

He is scheduled to appear in district court on May 1 in lieu of a $12,500 secure bond.

— By Melanie Davis Marshall