By GALEN McGOVERN

On the evening of Feb. 4, Hopkinton Police responded to a disturbance at the American Legion on Thelma Drive in Hope Valley.  The caller told police there had been a fight.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found Scott Wayne Bitgood of Carolina in the parking lot, severely injured.  Officers called for an ambulance and Bitgood was initially transported to Kent County Hospital, and then Rhode Island Hospital. As of Tuesday he remains in the trauma intensive care unit.

Lt. Dan Baruti indicated Bitgood’s injuries were mainly to his torso from fists and feet and his condition has improved and stabilized since the fight.   Baruti said that Bitgood has not been interviewed about the incident due to his condition but they are in close contact with the family.  

When police arrived at the American Legion parking lot, the suspect had already fled.  After an initial investigation, police contacted the suspect Ryan Gardiner, 26, the next morning and questioned him. 

After questioning, Gardiner was charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon and transported to Fourth District Court where he was arraigned. Gardiner was released on $10,000 personal recognizance and his court screening is set for March 10.  Baruti said that Gardiner has entered no plea and the investigation is on-going.  According to Baruti, police have many witnesses yet to interview and after retaining a search warrant police recovered evidence related to the crime in Gardiner’s home.