3 Men Charged In Hammer Attack On Man That Left Him With "Major Injuries"

Three men have been charged in a hammer attack on a man who was left with "major injuries."

Hospital officlals said the numerous marks to the victim's head, face and neck appeared to have been made by a hammer, and that if the attack had continued he may have died.

Charged with aggravated assault and aggravated burglary were Tylor Day, 26, of Chickamauga, Ga., Aaron Cunningham, 36, of 2609 14th Ave. and Caleb Pendergrass, 23, of 1622 S. Seminole Dr., East Ridge. 

Police responded to 2609 14th Ave. on a home invasion call, but could not locate a victim. They found a busted out glass door and the main door to the house kicked in. There was a trail of blood from the living room at the way to the back bedroom.

Police were then notified that the victim was at the hospital with serious injuries. The victim told police the only thing he remembered was getting struck by a hammer and then falling to the floor. He said when Cunningham and Pendergrass got on top of him that he began screaming for help. He said he went in and out of consciousness during the attack.

A female at the house said she received a text message from Cunningham warning that if the victim was at her house he would send him to the hospital. She said just over 10 minutes later that the trio showed up at the house. 

She said Cunningham kicked in the front door and came in looking for the victim. She said he yelled, "I'll kill you, (expletive)." 

The witness said Cunningham was carrying a hammer that was brought from outside the house. She said he ran to the bedroom and found her sitting on a bed with the victim. 

She said Cunningham struck the victim in the head with the hammer, then got on top of him while repeatedly punching him. She said Pendergrass then joined in the attack. She said Cunningham beat the victim in the head over 30 times.

The witness said Cunningham then stood up and said, "I'll bet he'll never do anything like that again."

Cunningham told police that the victim was armed with the hammer and he got beat up as it was wrestled from him. Day said he was at the house, but did not join in the attack.