Holmes Beach police are investigating the “brutal” attack that resulted in hospitalization for Evan Purcell, 41, by a group of young people March 23 on the Anna Maria Elementary campus, 4700 Gulf Drive, according to Chief Bill Tokajer.
Purcell was walking his dogs on school property with his 10-year-old niece at about 9 p.m. March 23 when he saw the group “drinking and possibly vandalizing the school,” according to a news release from the Holmes Beach Police Department.
When Purcell suggested that breaking glass bottles on the school property was harmful, they reportedly became aggressive and approached him.
“The victim was in fear for his safety and pulled out a pocketknife to scare off the group,” the release states. “Several of the males in the group attacked the victim knocking him to the ground. The victim was hit in the head with a wooden object — possibly a skateboard. He was punched and kicked repeatedly in the face and head while he was on the ground until he was unconscious.”
Purcell was found unconscious and transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton for “serious injuries” sustained at the scene. He was in stable condition as of March 25, according to HBPD.
Tokajer said police identified some suspects and people of interest who left the scene in a white Kia Sportage, a vehicle identified by the city’s license plate recognition system, and HBPD was hoping to quickly resolve the matter.
Tokajer said video from the school was used to help identify the suspects, but it was not available to the public since it is part of the ongoing investigation.
Another of Purcell’s nieces, Peyton, posted on Facebook March 24 about the incident.
“Last night around 8:30 p.m. (Evan) was jumped and almost beaten to death by a group of boys and two female bystanders,” she wrote. “His niece/my 10-year-old cousin was with him, luckily she was able to escape and get to a neighbor’s house to call 911 and get help.”
Her post includes a photo of Purcell’s facial wounds as he recovered in the hospital.
She wrote in a March 25 message to The Islander that Evan had received stitches and undergone surgery due to his injuries.
AME Principal Michael Masiello sent out a voice message March 23 to AME parents about the incident.
“The safety and security of our campus is of the utmost importance,” Masiello said. “Please, know we continue to have a police presence on our campus during school hours and continue to be vigilant with ensuring unauthorized persons are not on school grounds during the school day.”
People with information can contact HBPD Detective Josh Fleischer by email at fleischerj@holmesbeach.org or by calling 941-708-5800, ext. 270.
People who wish to remain anonymous can call Manatee County Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.
