A Potter County grand jury has indicted an Amarillo man on four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after authorities say he threatened to kill several people and stabbed four of them during a late-night fight in May.
Grand jury returns indictments
On Thursday, jurors issued the indictments against Patrick Wayne Bailey Jr., who is accused of using a knife to wound four people during an altercation shortly before midnight on May 24, according to court and police records released following the indictment. The episode unfolded in the 700 block of South Polk Street, where Amarillo police were called to the scene.
Police and witness accounts obtained by ABC 7 News say Bailey engaged in a physical confrontation with a group and that witnesses identified him as the aggressor. According to those reports, witnesses recounted that the suspect brandished a knife and said words along the lines of,
"I'm going to kill y'all,"before the fight began. Security officers on scene detained Bailey and removed the knife from him prior to the arrival of responding officers, police said.
Victims treated, charges filed
The four people who were stabbed — identified in charging documents as Markline Nuquay, Amanda Malone, Carnell Malone and Za’Ryan Malone — were treated at a hospital for their injuries. The nature and extent of their wounds have not been detailed in the indictment documents made public so far.
Under Texas law, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a felony offense. The grand jury’s action moves the case from investigation to prosecution, meaning the district attorney’s office can pursue formal charges in county court and move toward arraignment, pretrial proceedings and potentially a trial.
- Defendant: Patrick Wayne Bailey Jr.
- Charges: Four counts — aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Incident date: May 24
- Location: 700 block of South Polk Street, Amarillo
- Victims: Markline Nuquay, Amanda Malone, Carnell Malone, Za’Ryan Malone
Next steps in the legal process
Because the grand jury has returned indictments, prosecutors will now proceed with charging paperwork and set court dates. The indictment indicates jurors found sufficient probable cause to charge Bailey, but it does not determine guilt. Bailey will have the opportunity to answer the charges in court where the prosecution bears the burden of proving the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Authorities have not released additional details about possible motives or whether any additional arrests are expected. The Amarillo Police Department referred inquiries to the Potter County District Attorney’s office, which will handle prosecution matters.
Incidents involving knives and multiple victims tighten public scrutiny on safety in residential neighborhoods. South Polk Street is a corridor with mixed residential and commercial properties, and community members say they expect timely updates from police and prosecutors as the case moves forward.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Indictment | 4 counts, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon |
| Police response | Security detained suspect; knife confiscated before officers arrived |
| Victim care | Treated at hospital |
The Potter County grand jury action underscores that the criminal justice system is now engaged. Residents seeking updates on court dates or public-safety briefings can monitor filings at the Potter County courthouse or official releases from the Amarillo Police Department and the District Attorney’s office.
As prosecutors prepare to move forward, the community will be watching for further information about the case, the condition of the victims and how local officials respond to concerns about violence in the area.
