Central Islip man assaulted relative with tree limb, police say

An argument between a Central Islip man and his relative turned into a violent assault that left the relative critically injured and the uncle under arrest, police said.

Suffolk County police said during the disagreement in the backyard of a house on Wilson Boulevard in Central Islip Monday, Christopher Wright, 27, picked up a tree branch and struck his relative, Ushian James, 30, in the head. James was taken to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore in critical condition.

Police said both men live on East Maple Street in Central Islip. The incident occurred at 1:10 p.m., police said.

Wright was charged with first-degree assault and was arraigned Tuesday in First District Court, Central Islip. Details of that arraignment were not immediately available.