Referring to the incident that happened on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 with Evan Purcell: As horrific and traumatic as it was for everyone, including Evan and the family, we would like to thank everyone for the love and support that was shown in the month of March and after the incident.
In a world with many other issues, good and bad, everyone came together. We cannot thank everyone enough for the amount of support Evan and our family received, including the Gofundme fundraiser, the Holmes Beach Police Department, the Sarasota Police Department, the HCA Florida Blake Hospital Surgical Team/Nursing Team staff, media shares and the countless meals that were brought to us. The list of support is extensive.
As Evan continues to heal, we appreciate your thoughts and prayers. This isn’t an everyday occurrence on Anna Maria Island, but having a strong community within makes you truly appreciate where you live.
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.
Evan Purcell is recovering in Blake Hospital after being brutally beaten by a group of teenagers in Holmes Beach on March 23. – Submitted
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.
Evans
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.
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.
Holmes Beach resident Evan Purcell is recovering in Blake Hospital after being attacked March 23 at Anna Maria Elementary School. – Submitted
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.
Police are still seeking information on the March 23 assault of Evan Purcell. – Submitted
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.
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