Police: Homeless woman hits victim with hammer at Salem park - KPTV - FOX 12

Police: Homeless woman hits victim with hammer at Salem park

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SALEM, OR (KPTV) -

A homeless woman in Salem is accused of hitting a woman with a hammer in a Salem Park.

Starla Smith was arraigned on assault charges on Tuesday.  Her bail was set at $50,000. 

Salem police said it happened Monday afternoon at Riverfront Park.

Three volunteers with Liberty House were scouting the area for an upcoming fun run event.

They were sitting at a picnic table, according to police, when Smith approached them with a ball peen hammer.

Officers said Smith, 57, told them they were at her table.

The group got up and began walking around the rest of the park.

They told police that Smith again approached them 10 minutes later with the hammer.

One of the volunteers questioned Smith's decision to threaten them with a hammer, and police said that's when she swung and hit Adrienne Christian, 45, of Stayton.

She was hit in the face and suffered a minor abrasion.

Smith was arrested and charged with assault, reckless endangering and disorderly conduct.

Police said she has been arrested several times and may have been under the influence of methamphetamine on Monday.

Smith's next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 2.

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