A 57-year-old homeless man was in intensive care suffering from internal bleeding after he fell backward on a bed of rocks during a fight April 1.
Sean Kemmerow, said to be homeless in Bradenton Beach, was transported to Black Medical Center in Bradenton around 9:30 p.m. April 1 after he suffered a laceration on the back of his head and bleeding from his brain, according to the police report.
Terry Walker, 54, also listed as homeless in Bradenton Beach, faces a charge of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm after a witness identified him as the primary aggressor during the altercation, the report said.
When Bradenton Beach police officers arrived at the scene in the 200 block of Bridge Street, they saw Walker sitting on a bench, holding a blood-soaked towel.
Walker had a laceration under his left eye consistent with being punched.
Police found Kemmerow on a bed of rocks. He was unconscious, with blood coming from his ears and the back of his head.
Walker told police he and Kemmerow were drinking beer when they began arguing. He said Kemmerow threw the first punch and he defended himself by hitting Kemmerow three times.
“We were just two drunks fighting and it got out of hand,” Walker said.
The witness reported seeing Walker hit Kemmerow, but did not see Kemmerow punch Walker in the face.
Michelle Morgan, marketing and public relations coordinator for Blake Medical Center, did not return phone calls from The Islander regarding Kemmerow’s condition.
Walker, at press time, was being held at the Manatee County jail on a $5,000 bond.
His arraignment hearing will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, April 25, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.