News release from the Newport PD. On 09/23/2014, at 9:30 p.m., Newport Police Officers responded to Georgie’s Bar and Grill on SW Elizabeth St. regarding a male who had staggered into the restaurant, bleeding profusely from an apparent stab wound to the neck. The victim, Kenneth Scerri, age 47 of Newport, had suffered a severe knife wound to the back of his neck, just below his skull. When Police Officers arrived, Scerri was being treated by restaurant employees and several off-duty police officers attending a K9 conference in Newport this week. Newport Fire personnel arrived on scene and took over treatment of the victim. Scerri was then transported to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport where he underwent emergency surgery. He was later admitted to the Intensive Care unit; he is expected to recover from his injuries. While being treated, Scerri stated he had been stabbed by another homeless person hiding in the Fisherman’s Memorial Gazebo in Yaquina State Park. The victim stated he and the suspect, Ty Owen Brown, age 29 of Newport, had been drinking. Brown began telling the victim that this was “his area”, demanding that Scerri leave. Scerri stated that Brown suddenly brandished a sheath knife, and stabbed him in the neck. Scerri was able to flee the assault and find help at Georgie’s Bar and Grill. Newport Police Officers, assisted by Lincoln County Sheriff Deputies and Toledo Police Department Officers, captured Brown as he was literally packing his backpack to escape. Officers found droplets of blood on the floor at Fisherman’s Memorial Gazebo, where the victim had described the stabbing taking place. Brown had a six-inch sheath knife on his person. Brown stated the stabbing took place in self-defense after Scerri attacked him during an argument. Brown was transported to the Lincoln County Jail where he was charged with Attempted Murder; Assault 1st Degree; and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. His bail was set at $550,000.
