A serious incident could have turned into a tragedy if a police officer had not have been in the right place, at the right time.

                Upper Perk police officer James McVeigh was traveling in the 700 block of Main Street in Pennsburg at 11:57 p.m. on Sunday with his window down when he heard loud screams coming from the area of the 7-Eleven store’s parking lot.  The store is located at 738 Main Street.

                In the parking lot was a group of at least seven people.  McVeigh saw several of them fighting at the time.  According to a police report, two of the actors were kicking and punching a male subject who was lying on the ground.  The officer also saw another male striking the prone victim twice with an aluminum baseball bat.

                McVeigh got the situation under control quickly when he exited his police vehicle, identified himself as a police officer, drew his service weapon and ordered all involved to the ground.  One actor who fled, reportedly had a large hunting knife inside a black leather sheath, strapped to his belt.  He is still at large.

                According to the report the actor allegedly holding the baseball bat, Charles Shaffer, 31, of Pennsburg, looked at the police officer for a few seconds before placing the bat on the ground.

                McVeigh found Anthony Genovese, 21, of East Greenville lying on the curb going in and out of consciousness and radioed for an ambulance.  Genovese was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital from where he has since been released.

                As the investigation unfolded witnesses reported that, at the onset of the incident, they saw Anthony Genovese retrieve a baseball bat from his vehicle and allegedly strike Jeffrey Stronach, 28, of Schuykill Haven at least twice in the head.  According to police reports, the baseball bat belongs to Anthony Genovese.  Stronach was taken to a local hospital from where he has since been released. Shaffer then gained possesion of the bat and allegedly attacked Genovese.

                Shaffer was arrested and charged with Felony Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Harassment and Disorderly Conduct.  He was committed to Montgomery Country Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 bail.  Genovese was arrested on the same charges and was committed to the Correctional Facility in lieu of $30,000 bail.  Genovese has since been released after posting bail.  Both men were arraigned before District Justice Catherine Hummel-Fried in Red Hill.

                Police from New Hanover and Lower Salford Townships assisted at the scene.  At this point, police do not know what sparked the arguments that led to the assault and are continuing their investigation noting that there could be more arrests.