Ann Arbor police arrest man assaulting unconscious man on sidewalk outside campus-area bar
A 23-year-old man was arrested Saturday evening when Ann Arbor police officers found him outside a campus-area bar, punching an unconscious man in the head.
Sgt. Andrew Zazula said a confrontation started inside Good Time Charley's at 1140 S. University Ave. and continued outside at about 5:56 p.m.
It's unclear how many people were involved in the fight, but two men - ages 35 and 32 - were seriously injured, Zazula said. One was knocked unconscious and had serious head injuries, and the other had a possible broken nose, he said.
When officers arrived, the 23-year-old was still assaulting the unconscious man and was arrested, Zazula said. He was jailed overnight and released this morning pending further investigation.
Zazula said police don't know what the fight was about.
That was the most serious of multiple fights reported Saturday before, during and after the Michigan football game, Zazula said. At 7 p.m., three people were being treated at the University of Michigan Hospital for injuries in different fights, he said.
Police did not immediately have details of the other fights.
In total, police responded to about 250 calls for service Saturday - including fights, parties and minors in possession of alcohol, Zazula said.
Comments
Trachel
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 5:23 p.m.
can someone post an update on the injured man's status? i saw that fight and it was the scariest/most brutal thing i have ever seen. hoping he has a quick and easy recovery and that crazy man gets justice.
Milton Shift
Wed, Oct 13, 2010 : 9:27 a.m.
Glad to hear someone did step in - you have my respect, Sarah. I would much rather contend with some bogus lawsuit than know for the rest of my life that I stood with my arms crossed as someone was brutally killed.
Bobby
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 9:31 a.m.
Just as an FYI...I witnessed this fight and I would just like to say that in the article it says that when the police arrived they arrested the 23 year old. That is nonsense. I witnessed the whole thing and by the time the police arrived there that man was long gone. Ann Arbor should hire more people on big games like that because for how long they took to get there is just not acceptable. I also applaud that girl for stepping in. That was awesome.
Killroy
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 7:25 a.m.
Dear Phyllis, what is your nephew's side of the story? How did this altercation begin? Also, I hope he makes a swift recovery. On many levels, I think A2 is far more dangerous than NYC. In NYC at least they realize what the main threats are to citizens while, here in A2, the Police have their heads in the sand. My own experience with drunks in A2 involved a very drunk "college student" running into the street charging my car as I was driving down Forest avenue with my Family. His girlfriend (?) pulled him away from our vehicle just before I would have run him over (yes, I wasn't going to stop). Nuts!
phyllis
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 10:22 p.m.
First I want to thank Sarah for helping my nephew. He was the man knocked unconscious. I worry when someone gets attacked a block from campus at 6:00pm. He lived 2 years in New York City and goes to a college town in Michigan and gets assaulted? And I know nothing about the 23 year old who attacked him, but he has ruined his life also. Our society needs to be more firm in raising our children that they must pay the consequences for their actions. I would think that no matter what words were exchanged, if any, that does not warrant knocking someone unconscious and then beating him so bad that he must consult with doctors and surgeons for repair of the damage that occurred as a result. My nephew went to Ann Arbor with a group of doctors for the game, expecting to have a great time watching football and ended it in the emergency room being sutured and having x-rays and a CAT scan. And the man who attacked him, he got released. Is that justice? And once again a big thanks to Sarah who stepped up!
a2cents
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 9:08 p.m.
@atticus peds were not the only drunks out & about. A long line of illegally parked cars on a busy street were a hazard to inebriated drivers and the cars disgorged numerous passengers who milled about in the street and contributed to 2 later 911 calls. Self-absorbed? I beg to differ. A trash bag of beer cans (out-of-state), liquor bottles and discarded half-eaten food is just plain disgusting. If I knew where you lived I'd share the bounty.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 7:16 p.m.
annarbor.com/news/man-attempting-to-break-up-fight-knocked-unconscious-on-u-m-golf-course/ Man attempting to break up fight knocked unconscious... Cautionary tale for those willing to learn.
sarah
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 5:10 p.m.
How can they let the guy go? Punching an unconscious guy? Isnt that attempted murder? And who stopped him?
sarah
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 4:57 p.m.
The only reason the guy stopped hitting him is because I jumped him!!!!!!!!!!! Nobody did anything!!! I thought he was going to die!!! Now I see in this article they let the guy go??? Wow!!!! If I wouldnt of stopped him would this 23 year old punk stop punching him??
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 3:26 p.m.
If you're not willing to help then you always have the option of walking away. the answer should be pretty simple... Either your willing to help, in which case you should step in and do something. Or you're not willing to help, in which case I would suggest leaving and finding somewhere you do feel safe. But please dont act like you're some great person, if you not willing to accept the risk of helping out someone in danger.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 1:38 p.m.
@Atticus, Attracting the attention of beligerent drunks and/or wading in is certainly an option. Good for you, I'll be happy to bring you flowers at the hospital, pat you on the back should it be necessary and maybe I'll even testify to your good moral character if you're sued. ME? I have my own family to think of and as stated I don't pretend to be a cop nor am I obligated to behave like one. Come to think of it, neither are the police. 1*
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 1:08 p.m.
Riceburner, you can also yell out "THE COPS ARE COMING!". Alot of times this can break up a dangerous situation. I personally would have stepped in had I seen something like that going on. But I wouldn't expect everyone to do that.
boom
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 12:16 p.m.
The police knew this weekend was going to be busy and staffed everybody they could. Obviously it still wasn't enough. With the economy like it is....I wonder if the U-M has considered hiring police from other agencies on game day. I'm sure there are other police agencies in the area who wouldn't mind earning a little overtime working a U-M football game and policing the campus afterwards. Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County and local MSP just don't have enough bodies for a game like this.
Killroy
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 11:49 a.m.
@ Ricebrnr, I totally agree with you. The best thing an average citizen can do in a situation like this is to document the mayhem and call the police asap (response times vary) and stay out of harm's way. Also, I would never venture out to South University on a Saturday night, just not smart.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 11:13 a.m.
@ d_a2 I would never allow myself to be in that situation to begin with and if I were forced into it, you can be sure that I would defend myself OR the life of a friend or family member. All others have the same decision making capabilities as I and if they choose to be inebriated or go into risky areas then who am I or you to intervene? That being said, please answer the question I posed: "what is the average citizen supposed to do to intervene?" As I stated, what I read is undeniably attempted murder the legal response to which is leathal force. Should I inject myself into the situation with gun drawn? What if I had pepper spray? Do I hose the attacker down? How many accusations of cop wanna be wouyld I then have to endure? Civil litigation from onlookers also sprayed? How about the mini riot of sheeple fleeing the sight of my weapon? All the while not knowing the victim, how it started, who all is involved, if the attacker has more buddies who might start pounding me... Judge all you want BUT what would YOU have done? What I stated is the smart if not palatable move, ask anyone who's actually taken some self defense and legal classes. 1*
d_a2
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 9:54 a.m.
@ricebrnr then i hope you're never in a situation where you're getting pounded on a ground only to look up and see a group of people standing around filming it.
Atticus F.
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 9:10 a.m.
I cant belive that in such a horrifying incident, some people have the nerve to stand up and complain that there was illegal parking in their neighborhoods, and that they have to clean up litter...Sameful how self absorbed some people can be. Also, the person who did this is a danger to society, and should be facing prison time. Sometimes, people have disagreements that they feel can only be resolved by 'stepping outside'...But you NEVER EVER hit someone who's been knocked unconcious, especially not in the head!!!
Killroy
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 7:48 a.m.
You really take your chances being around a bunch of angry childish drunks. On football weekends, I usually carry (legal) pepper spray while running my errands. It is clear that UM Police and A2 Police are overwhelmed by these drunken thugs. 250 calls seems like a good indicator that it is about time revamp or rethink the current strategy regarding public safety, huh? As for the comment about Punk Week, OI bet if punk week generated as much money as football, our parks would be filled with naked punks eating chicken!;)
racerx
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 2:17 a.m.
250 calls! Wow! Form a comission! Start a study! Begin a council lead forum calling for a committee to look into these brazen acts of violence! Revoke college students right to party! Ban drinking on the golf course! Close down the stadium! Oh, it didn't happen at Studio 4? Ok. Everything's all good!
pbehjatnia
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 10:08 p.m.
I am completely horrified with the amount of aggressive behavior I witnessed all day and night yesterday. The drunks, the fights, the snarky crap. If the university holds events which attract so many and so many agressive people, then the university needs to pay for even more police presence to keep the peace.
treetowncartel
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 8:58 p.m.
Another good reason for leaving town and enjoying the natural wonders this state has to offer. Spent saturday morning and afternoon Jeepin and leaf peepin through the northern woods and made it back to civilation and a cable line in time for the game.
Chuck
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 8:23 p.m.
what in the world is wrong with so many people these days that they think that this is acceptable behavior? Throw this pathetic person in the clink for a good long while.
Ricebrnr
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 7:26 p.m.
@d_a2 Didja read the other unconcious man story? He tried to intervene and look what he got for his troubles. Plus what is the average citizen supposed to do to intervene? Those who have the capability are not usually found in such situations and if they were usually only find grief if they do. Best advice for those nearby is to call the cops and get it on the cell phone camera. Less trouble for you in the long run. 1*
indigonation
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 4:52 p.m.
Fighting is so stupid. If some one wants to fight I just walk away. Peace Love and Progress.
d_a2
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 3:55 p.m.
this happened at 6pm and nobody walking the streets intervened? i'm sure the streets were quite busy at this time...wow.
Tom Joad
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 11:50 a.m.
It was sore-loser land last night...walking home late last night from a run to the liquor store run I ran through a phalanx of drunks and thugs, just stay focused, eyes forward, don't look anyone in the eyes...made it home safely--whew, it isn't safe out there after a Michigan loss...compounded with the fact that the town is full of other Michiganders...the worst of the worst...
Ricebrnr
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 11:41 a.m.
I think continuing to hit a guy in the head who is unconscious is ground for an attempted murder charge. That being said, ban campuses. No more campus = nor more campus bar = no more drunken idiots, right?
glimmertwin
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 11:24 a.m.
Nothing screams tough-guy more than blasting a unconscious guy.
a2cents
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 11:15 a.m.
A^2 ceded control to the drunken mob Saturday. Calls to the police concerning disruptions and a sizable illegal parking / traffic safety issue after midnight (Sunday morning) were met with "... board is full... lowest priority...". This morning the street and lawn extensions are littered; there's broken glass; a car mirror was pulled off, and several other incidents of petty vandalism were noted. The city and uom are impotent and uncaring about the residents' quality-of-life. No longer do they seem to be able to deal with the sports-monster they have colluded upon. Carousing, noisy drunks parading up and down a single-family neighborhood at 2:00 AM are unnecessary. Of course, the inebriated did help the economy as noted in an earlier story... so all is well???
Speechless
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 11:15 a.m.
It's a whole lot safer on downtown and campus-area streets during Punk Week than it is during and after the UM-MSU game. Why not hold it in East Lansing every year?