The cases against two young men involved in an alleged aggravated battery are moving forward.
The state attorney’s office is pushing second-degree felony charges for Sarasota resident Cameron Evans, 18, and John Bartholow, 17, of Ellenton, for their alleged involvement in the March 23 incident.
The incident outside Anna Maria Elementary School, Holmes Beach, sent resident Evan Purcell, 41, to the hospital with serious injuries.
Purcell was walking his dog with his 10-year-old niece when he observed a group of five-six young adult and teenage males and females vandalizing the facility, breaking alcoholic beverage bottles near the picnic area, according to a Holmes Beach Police Department report.
As Purcell confronted the group, they became aggressive and, according to the police report, he drew a pocketknife to protect himself but members of the group overpowered him, knocking him to the ground and beating him.
Purcell’s niece, who was not attacked, ran to a nearby home for help and the resident called 911.
HBPD found Purcell unconscious and emergency medical services transported him to the HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton, where he was in stable condition as of March 25.
The Purcell family has not responded to inquiries about Purcell’s condition since March 25, citing the ongoing investigation. A family friend said Purcell was back at home.
The HBPD identified Bartholow, Evans and an unnamed juvenile as suspects using surveillance video from the scene and witness accounts.
Bartholow was arrested shortly after the incident, while Evans evaded arrest until April 14.
The unnamed juvenile surrendered to the police and was released to his/her family.
Evans remained in custody in the Manatee County jail’s juvenile section as of April 23. Bartholow was released on $50,000 bail April 22.
An arraignment for Bartholow and Evans will be at 8:55 a.m. Friday, May 13, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.