Geneva Man Knocks Out Assailant With 1 Punch; Both Charged

An officer on foot patrol early Saturday in downtown St. Charles came across a group of five people arguing when one individual ran up to three others and began pushing.

At that point, one of the three punched the apparent aggressor in the face. The man fell to the ground, knocked out cold, police said

Alexander Mathew Springhorn, 24, of the 300 block of Clover Court, Geneva, told police he was protecting his brother when he punched Mark A. Akers, 23, of the 100 block of Swanson Road, Sycamore. Both men were cited with public fighting.

Springhorn’s size and display of strength was enough to prompt the officer approaching the ruckus to take no chances — the officer drew a Taser and directed Springhorn to drop to his knees and the onto his stomach, which he did without incident, police said. Springhorn’s size required the use of two pairs of handcuffs to secure him, police said.

While Springhorn was taken to the police station, and ambulance was called for Akers, police said.

The other men in the group told police they did not know Akers, who they said began exchanging words with them as they walked past. A friend of Akers’ who also was present told police Akers had been picking fights with anyone he could, and that he had intervened to break up three earlier incidents involving Akers.

Springhorn was cited at the police station and released. An officer delivered a citation to Akers at Delnor Hospital in Geneva.

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