Man Arrested For Assault in Barber Shop

Montgomery County police (3rd District) officers responded to the Big G’s Images Barber Shop on Dec. 19 at 5:22 p.m. located at 13870 Old Columbia Pike in Silver Spring for the report of an assault in progress. Officers arrived on scene and observed a 52-year-old male suspect punch a 40-year-old victim in the face, according to police. Officers then located a 28-year-old male victim suffering from lacerations to his left hand.

Police said the on scene investigation revealed that the 28-year-old victim and another barber shop patron entered a foot race outside of the shop. Other patrons and employees, including the suspect, placed bets on who would win the race. After the race, police, said, patrons returned to the barbershop, and the 28-year-old victim and the suspect began to argue over who won the close race. During the argument, the suspect retrieved a pair of shears from one of the barber stations, according to police. The suspect began making stabbing motions causing lacerations to the victim’s left hand, police said. Other patrons were able to disarm the suspect, according to police. The two victims, followed by the suspect, then exited the barbershop. It was at this time that officers arrived and observed the suspect punch the 40-year-old victim in the face. Both victims were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect is identified as Eric Keith Rice, age 52, of the 2500 block of Irving Street, Northeast, in Washington, D.C. Police said he was arrested and transported to the Central Processing Unit. Rice has been charged with first degree assault against the 28-year-old victim, second degree assault against the 40-year-old victim, and disorderly conduct. He is being held without bond until his bail review in District Court.

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