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Nashville woman hospitalized after alleged hammer attack; suspect arrested in Arkansas
Bailey Perger underwent facial reconstructive surgery at Vanderbilt after police say she was found seriously injured at her South Nashville home. Her father says the attack came shortly after she obtained an order of protection against Ross Peterson, who was later arrested in Arkansas.
A Nashville woman underwent facial reconstructive surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center after police say she was found seriously injured in her South Nashville backyard following an alleged hammer attack. The man accused in the assault, Ross Peterson, was arrested in Arkansas on Wednesday, according to Metro Nashville police.
Bailey Perger’s father, Jeremy Perger, said the attack followed a series of threatening messages and a confrontation at his daughter’s home. Police helped her obtain an order of protection against Peterson at about 6:15 a.m. Saturday, according to the account provided by the family and police.
Jeremy Perger said officers drove his daughter home. About 30 minutes later, he said, Peterson was outside slashing her tires. Police said they responded to the residence at 7:15 a.m. and found Bailey in the backyard with serious injuries.
Metro police said there was not enough time to serve the protection order on Peterson before the assault. Bailey’s father said he believed more could have been done to intervene, and that his family spent several days in fear before Peterson’s arrest.
Peterson faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault, and was expected to be returned to Nashville, police said. He was on probation for a Williamson County felony methamphetamine possession conviction, according to the report.
Catherine Oaks, chief operating officer of the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence, said protection orders can establish legal boundaries and provide a way to hold someone accountable, but cannot guarantee safety or physically stop violence. She said enforcement, access to advocacy, safety planning and a coordinated community response are also important, and that responsibility for abuse rests with the person who commits it.
Jeremy Perger said the family wants Peterson to face a lengthy prison sentence. The family has also organized a fundraiser to help cover Bailey’s medical expenses.