WATSON — The family of a man charged in connection with an October stabbing at the Watson Walmart is speaking out for the first time since his arrest.
A confrontation at the Walmart on October 23 allegedly escalated into a violent altercation in the parking lot. The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to what was described as a “civil matter” between two men.
“Two males—a 51-year-old and a 25-year-old who knew each other—were involved in a physical altercation in the Walmart parking lot,” Sheriff Jason Ard stated after the incident. “Upon our arrival, one was suffering from a stab wound to the abdomen, and the other sustained a laceration to the head.”
Trent Rottman, 25, was treated for the head injury and charged with aggravated second-degree battery. Clarence Vandermark, 51, spent several days in the hospital before being released and charged with aggravated second-degree battery on October 29. Both men remain in custody at the Livingston Parish Jail on $25,000 bonds, according to online records.
Vandermark’s wife is now speaking to UWK about the incident and his arrest. Heather Vandermark claims the confrontation began inside the Walmart when her son was threatened. She alleges that Rottman was upset over her son dating Rottman’s estranged wife and, along with two other men, threatened her son.
Heather says law enforcement initially removed Rottman and the two other men from the store. However, she claims Rottman returned after deputies left and vandalized the family’s truck. At that point, she says her husband Clarence, a local contractor known as “Cary the Roofer,” arrived at Walmart.
Heather alleges that her husband was cornered in the parking lot and felt threatened.
“He threw the first punch because he was terrified,” she said. “You can see it on the video—he was in imminent danger as the man approached him with a knife.”
Heather maintains that surveillance footage shows her husband acting in self-defense. UWK has not reviewed the video, and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office has not confirmed its existence.
She is now advocating for her husband’s release, emphasizing that he has no criminal record and was only defending himself. Heather said a request to reduce her husband’s $25,000 bond was denied.
“This is a nightmare for our family,” Heather said. “My husband was only there to protect our son, and now he’s the one being punished.”
Jail records indicate Rottman was arrested in 2019 for aggravated assault. There were no other records for Vandermark.
The case remains under investigation.
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