Sheriff: Attempted murder suspect held man’s head underwater

ZEBULON — A Louisburg man was arrested on attempted murder charges Friday after deputies accused him of attacking another man and holding his head underwater during a fishing trip.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office said investigators responded to the incident early Friday morning in the 5000 block of Pearces Road, an area with several streams and ponds about five miles north of Zebulon.

Michael Halston Fitzpatrick, 28, was charged with attempted second-degree murder, assault by strangulation and assault with a deadly weapon, according to a press release.

Deputies said Fitzpatrick was fishing with several friends at a pond near Pearces Road. According to the press release, Fitzpatrick allegedly struck the victim on the back of the head with a beer bottle and then held the man's head underwater in the pond.

Fitzpatrick, of Ransdell Lane, Louisburg, was placed in the Franklin County Detention Center in Louisburg under a $500,000 secured bond.

Deputies are still investigating and didn't give a motive or release other information, including the victim's name and condition.