(Michigan City, IN) - Charges have been filed in connection with injuries sustained from a hammer attack in Michigan City.

 

Skylar Burgan, 33, has been charged with Level 3 felony Aggravated Battery and Level 5 felony Battery with a Deadly Weapon, as well as Invasion of Privacy for violating a protective order granted to his ex-girlfriend.

 

On January 5th, according to court documents Burgan went to the home of his ex-girlfriend at the Tall Timbers Apartments on Springland Avenue, located on the city’s east side. The woman and her son fled to another apartment out of concern for their safety. 

 

The boy then contacted his father, who was given permission by the mother to go into her apartment. The victim needed to go inside to retrieve some of his son’s belongings for a weekend visitation, police said.

 

Burgan was reportedly still inside the apartment, though, when the victim walked in and was approached by the suspect with a hammer in hand. The victim, after turning to run, was then struck at least twice on the head with the ball peen instrument. Burgan tried striking him again but the victim blocked his third swing and wrestled the hammer out of his hands, police said.

 

According to court documents, the bloody injuries to the head suffered by the victim seemed to require medical attention, but he declined treatment due to an inability to pay for such care.

 

Burgan could face as much as a 22-year sentence if convicted on both counts.