HOLMES BEACH – A good deed backfired last week when a group of teens attacked a man who was trying to stop them from vandalizing Anna Maria Elementary School.
Holmes Beach resident Evan Purcell, 40, was seriously injured on March 23 when he confronted a group of teenagers allegedly drinking and breaking glass bottles near the cafeteria entrance of the school, according to Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer, who held a press conference about the incident.
Purcell was walking his dog that evening with his 10-year-old niece when he spotted the vandalism. Purcell said he told the teens to stop what they were doing and leave the property, according to Tokajer. When the teens became aggressive, Purcell pulled out a pocket knife to scare off the group. The move had the opposite effect, with some of the teenagers attacking Purcell, knocking him to the ground and hitting him repeatedly. Purcell’s niece escaped without injury and ran to a nearby home to call 911. The dog also was not injured. Tokajer said that when police arrived on the scene at about 9 p.m., the group had fled in a vehicle and Purcell was unconscious. He was transported by helicopter to Blake Hospital and was in stable condition as of press time for The Sun.
The investigation into what police are calling an aggravated battery case is ongoing.
While the suspects escaped, their vehicle was identified using the city’s license plate recognition system cameras as a white Kia Sportage, Tokajer said. He added that bottles and cans left behind at the scene of the crime are being evaluated for fingerprints and DNA evidence that will be used to identify those involved.
Tokajer said it’s believed the group contained about six teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18, all thought to be from Sarasota and Manatee counties. Some have been identified, but their names have not been released. He encouraged anyone involved in the attack or with information about those involved to immediately contact HBPD Det. Josh Fleischer at 941-708-5800 ext. 270 or email fleischerj@holmesbeach.org. For anyone who has information but wishes to remain anonymous, contact Manatee County Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.
Community members are already reaching out to help Purcell as he recovers. His family has set up a GoFundMe account with the goal of raising $25,000 to help pay for hospital bills. As of March 27, $8,425 in funding had been raised. To donate, visit the fundraiser webpage.
