HIGHFILL — Two men were in separate hospitals in different states after an altercation Aug. 9, in Highfill, authorities said.

Adam Thibodeaux, 22, of 13530 Dallarosa Road in Highfill, was airlifted to Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo., Tuesday for treatment of a .45-caliber gunshot wound to his chest, according to officials with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

Damon Newson, 42, was transported to Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville with a bleeding wound to his back, officials said.

“We’re not sure if he was stabbed or injured in a struggle,” said Capt. Mike Sydoriak, head of the criminal investigation division of the Sheriff’s Office.

Sydoriak said an investigator went to Joplin on Wednesday afternoon to interview Thibodeaux.

“The bullet hit Thibodeaux in the left chest area,” said Capt. Mike Jones, head of the field division of the Sheriff’s Office.

The only thing clear to investigators Tuesday was that both men were injured in a struggle, said Jones.

Sydoriak said Thibodeaux had not been taking his medications Tuesday and was “acting out.”

“They’d used this guy, Newson, before to calmhim down,” Sydoriak said.

Thibodeaux’s mother, Debbie, called Newson, her cousin, to help with Thibodeaux, who seemed to be depressed and was showing signs of violence, officials said.

Deputies said Debbie Thibodeaux told them Newson arrived and found Adam Thibodeaux on the back porch and an argument ensued.

Debbie Thibodeaux told deputies she heard noises on the porch, then heard Newson yell that Adam Thibodeaux had been shot and to call for help.

Jones said deputies had been called to the same address “two or three” times in the past on disturbance reports.

No charges had been filed as of Aug. 10, authorities said. The investigation continues.

News, Pages 4 on 08/17/2011