The Auburn Police Department has arrested a 20-year-old man following an early-morning assault that left a male victim critically injured.
On Aug. 29, 2026, officers arrested Hagan Phillips Lewis, 20, of Auburn, on charges of second-degree assault and harassment.
According to the Auburn Police Department, officers responded during the early morning hours of Aug. 29 to an assault in the 200 block of West Magnolia Avenue, near a local business.
When officers arrived, they found a male victim lying unconscious on the ground. Witnesses told police that an unknown male had assaulted the victim in what they described as an unprovoked attack. The suspect then allegedly shoved a female victim before fleeing the area.
EMS responded and transported the male victim to a regional hospital. Police said he remains in critical but stable condition.
Following an investigation, Lewis was identified as the alleged suspect. Auburn police obtained warrants for his arrest, and Lewis was taken into custody in the 1100 block of Stonegate Drive.
Lewis was transported to the Auburn Police Department for questioning before being taken to the Lee County Jail, where he is being held on a $26,000 bond.
Victim’s Family Speaks Out
The victim’s father, Jack Carter, shared a post on Facebook Saturday afternoon seeking information about the attack and describing the extent of his son’s injuries.
Carter said his son was attacked around 2:07 a.m. in the McDonald’s parking area near Sky Bar. According to Carter, his son had his back turned when he was struck in the head and fell, hitting his head on the concrete.
Carter said his son suffered a significant skull fracture and brain bleed and was receiving treatment in the trauma unit at Baptist Medical Center in Montgomery.
Carter also said the group involved consisted of three boys. He described one of them as being apologetic and concerned about the victim following the incident.
Carter said his daughter was able to get a description of the alleged attacker and that Auburn police were seeking surveillance footage from nearby businesses and the Hilton.
Police have since identified and arrested Lewis in connection with the assault.
