A Kentucky sheriff and assistant girls basketball coach is wanted for assaulting a teenage girl during a brawl that broke out at a game last week.
Brent Lynch is a sheriff in Owsley County, Kentucky and assistant coach for Owsley County High School girls basketball. During the game Friday, December 3 between Owsley County and Perry County, Kentucky State Police were called after a fight broke out amongst players.
After the first punch was thrown by one of the players, Lynch, other coaches and crowd members raced onto the court from the sidelines.
Lynch is shown in a video wearing a maroon shirt and khaki pants sprinting across the gym to get in the middle of the fight.
Lynch allegedly struck a teenage girl in the face. He has now been charged with fourth degree assault.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart said, about the low level charges:
"To constitute anything higher would have required a broken bone or a serious physical injury."
A warrant for Lynch's arrest was issued on Tuesday.
Gayheart said:
”That fight was investigated by one of our troopers."
"It was determined through that investigation that Owsley County Sheriff, Brent Lynch, had actually assaulted a female during that altercation."
Lynch was given 24 hours to surrender but as of Wednesday, Kentucky State Police are still looking for him.
He continued:
”Anytime we get a warrant like that we want to get it served as properly as we can, but as of right now we’re still seeking that individual to get served."
That guy was itching for a fight, has priors, he ran across the length of the court and knew where he was going. You have to be freaking kidding me. 😷👎🏾🤬😡#sheriff #JuvenileAssault https://t.co/QIecLB3zLf
— Pending Indifference (@lalabread559) December 9, 2021
BLACK people pay attention this is how they protect white society while they severely punish us this man can clearly be seen hitting a young lady he is charged with assault in the 4th degree penalty up to 1yr & $500 fine 1st degree is 20yrs & 10,000 fine.https://t.co/AiPMxtcFUl
— Chance711 (@Chance7112) December 9, 2021
So a grown man punching a teenage girl in the face is a "relatively minor assault" now?
— KimmieB (@PatriotGames2) December 9, 2021
The officers do not believe Lynch is a threat to the community at this time, but previous video showed this was not the first time he's been accused of misconduct.
In 2019, Lynch was filmed confronting a woman in the stands.
He allegedly grabbed her by the arm. Lynch claimed he told the group of fans he was a sheriff and told them to leave because of the bad language they used.
Lynch was suspended for one game after that incident.
Both schools have released statements about the altercation during Friday's game.
Superintendent for Perry County Schools Jonathan Jett stated:
“On Friday, December 3, 2021 there was an altercation between the Perry Central Lady Commodores and the Owsley County lady Owls basketball teams."
"The teams were separated immediately and one player from each team was ejected from the contest by the KHSAA basketball officials working the game."
"It is my understanding that there has since been an investigation opened by the Kentucky State Police related to the incident."
"Out of respect for the Kentucky State Police and their investigation, I have no further comment at this time.”
Superintendent of Owsley County Schools Dr. Tim Bobrowski stated:
“An incident occurred during a December 3rd varsity girls’ basketball game at Perry Central High School between Perry Central High School and Owsley County High School."
"Owsley County is fully complying with KHSAA’s recommendations."
"The Owsley County Varsity Girls’ Assistant Coach was suspended 1 game."
"Per KHSAA’s recommendations, both teams have suspended 4 student athletes for 2 games."
I think a couple players should be suspended longer than 2 games. That was ridiculous. Somebody could have been seriously hurt.
— Pat H (@papaheitz) December 9, 2021
Trooper Gayheart said the investigation is still underway and more charges may be issued.
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