Sheriff: Salisbury man beaten with shovel by men seeking money from his brother

Published 10:34 am Thursday, January 8, 2015

Rowan authorities say a Salisbury man has a slight concussion and bruised ribs after he was beaten at his mother’s home with a shovel. Officials say two men, who are known at this time by the nicknames Fat Back and Spike, are responsible for the assault.

No arrests had been made Thursday, but the investigation is ongoing.

The incident began on Tuesday around 1:18 a.m. when officials received information that 19-year-old Nathan Surratt had been taken to Carolinas Medical Center-Kannapolis with injuries.

Officials with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said Surratt’s brother, Michael, is accused of owing Fat Back and Spike, who were his roommates, $163 for a utility bill. Michael had recently moved in with his mother.

Reportedly the two roommates said he needed to pay “or else.”

The two men arrived in the 2500 block of Artz Road and the Surratts heard tapping on a window. Nathan Surratt went outside to check and he was hit on the back of the head and stomach with a folding camp shovel.

The two attackers got into a vehicle driven by a woman and left.

Hospital officials said Nathan Surratt had a slight concussion, a bump on the head and bruised ribs. He did not have any internal injuries, a report said.

The shovel was left behind and collected by authorities.