According to BBBTV Channel 12 and Roane County’s Dudley Evans, charges against two men could be upgraded following the death of Cecil Baptiste, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a May 8th altercation at a Harriman strip mall in front of the Cricket cell phone store. According to the Harriman Police Department, the incident began as an argument involving Baptiste and his girlfriend.

Allen Copley and Charles Sargeant then became involved, with authorities alleging that Copley placed Baptiste in a chokehold while Sargeant struck him. After being released from the chokehold, Baptiste fell, struck his head, and lost consciousness. CPR was performed at the scene before he was transported to Roane Medical Center and later transferred to UT Medical Center, where he remained on life support until his death on May 18.

Copley and Sargeant were initially booked on aggravated assault charges, but officials indicated those could be increased as the investigation continues through the Roane County court system.