HOLMES BEACH – One suspect is under arrest and one is still at large in connection with the beating of a 40-year-old Holmes Beach man on March 23.
John William Bartholow, 17, of Ellenton was taken into custody by police on March 30 and charged with aggravated battery in the attack on Evan Purcell.
Another suspect, Cameron Leron Evans, 18, of Sarasota, is at large.
Purcell was walking his dog with his 10-year-old niece on the evening of March 23 when he came upon some teenagers breaking bottles, drinking alcohol and vandalizing Anna Maria Elementary School property, according to Holmes Beach police. Purcell yelled at the group to stop what they were doing, which resulted in the teens becoming aggressive. Although Purcell waived a pocketknife fearing for his safety, it was not a deterrent to the teens, who allegedly knocked him to the ground and beat him severely, including an assault with a wooden object, possibly a skateboard.
According to Holmes Beach Police Department Chief Bill Tokajer, police arrived on the scene around 9 p.m. to find Purcell unconscious on the ground and the assailants nowhere to be found. The victim was taken to Blake Hospital in stable condition, but suffering from multiple serious injuries.
Although there was no video footage of the incident, the suspect vehicle was identified by the city’s license plate recognition camera as a white Kia Sportage. Tokajer also said there were cans and broken bottles left at the scene that could be used to obtain DNA and fingerprints. He stressed that these were not students of Anna Maria Elementary, and no one related to the school was believed to be involved in any way.
Evans, a 6-foot tall, 140-pound Black man, is considered a danger to the community due to the violent acts committed and the nature of the charges, according to police.
Anyone who sees Evans is advised not to approach him and to immediately contact their local police department.
A third person, a juvenile, also has been charged in the case.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to call HBPD at 941-708-5800.
To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS or submit a tip online. A reward of up to $3,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.
Purcell’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to assist with his medical bills. As of March 30, the effort has raised $15,755 of the $25,000 goal. To make a donation, visit the GoFundMe site.
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