Marion County Commissioner Mark Davis says a fellow county commissioner assaulted him Thursday morning, tearing his shirt during a confrontation inside Davis’ own office. Davis called 911 after the October 1 incident and was later transported to the hospital after experiencing chest pain.
In the 911 call, released by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Davis told dispatchers he needed a deputy right away and warned that Commissioner Andy Appelfeller “may be armed.” Davis said Appelfeller had told him he would be “locked and loaded” if Davis kept pressing him. According to Davis, Appelfeller grabbed his shirt and ripped it down the middle before leaving. Davis said Appelfeller did not strike him, and characterized the altercation as an assault. Appelfeller has not returned requests for comment.
Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles turned the case over to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which confirmed it will lead the investigation. Davis said the clash followed an ongoing dispute over funding for the county’s Emergency Management Agency, and came days after Davis reported Appelfeller for personal use of county computers and printers. The investigation remains open.