Columbus police say that a social media spat turned into fight with a ball bat Tuesday afternoon.

Police were called to Marr and North National roads at about 4:30 p.m. yesterday after a man ran across the street and whacked another man in the back of the legs with a ball bat. The victim wrestled the bat away from his attacker before he could be hit again, says Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the police department.

Witnesses said the attacker, 22-year-old John M. Pheral ran into a residence in the 3100 block of 17th Street. He was arrested at the home on preliminary charges of battery with a deadly weapon, intimidation against a law-enforcement officer, intimidation with threats to commit a forcible felony and disorderly conduct.