thedrifter
07-07-07, 07:05 AM
Mother says violent incident at beach highlights need for action
By Ken Little
Staff Writer
ken.little@starnewsonline.com
Elais "Lee" Simental was just looking to socialize early on the Fourth of July when he went to a party at Freeman Park.
Within 20 minutes of arriving, Simental was severely beaten and had to be airlifted from Carolina Beach to New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Police are investigating the assault as the 25-year-old recovers at home.
Simental suffered a concussion and broken teeth and was unable to speak Friday because of the effects of medication and lingering discomfort from a breathing tube inserted while he was in intensive care.
But his mother had plenty to say.
"I'm so upset about them beating someone who is defenseless," Sharon Simental said. "(Authorities) knew about this holiday and all these young people coming up there, and I think they need to do whatever they can to make that North End more secure. There were fights breaking out everywhere."
Police Chief William K. Younginer said steps have been taken to curb rowdy or violent behavior on the beach, just as Wilmington police are working to eliminate similar activity downtown.
Sharon and her family moved to Carolina Beach about nine months ago from the foothills of Elkin in Surry County. Lee got a job at the nearby state park and after finishing work Wednesday night, he went to Wal-Mart, where he bought a tropical fish and some cat food for family pets.
Lee ran into an acquaintance at a Carolina Beach convenience store who told him about a party at Freeman Park. He parked his car nearby and walked onto the beach. It wasn't long before he was confronted by someone who grabbed the glasses from his face.
"He cannot see without his glasses, and he had a severe panic attack," Sharon said.
A woman then approached him, perhaps to help.
"He couldn't see nothing and he took his arm and flung her, and she landed on the sand," she said.
That's when a group of as many as 15 people began assaulting Lee.
The acquaintance called police, who summoned an AirLink helicopter after they noticed he was having difficulty communicating.
Sharon, a caregiver by profession, has to stay at home to take care of her son. Lee also can't work for the time being. He never recovered his glasses or car keys.
"I'm not blaming the police. They said they will do everything they can," Sharon said.
Younginer said detectives are actively seeking suspects.
"It could be a group of Marines, and we're trying to locate these Marines," he said. "It may take a while, but it is being investigated."
There is a police presence at Freeman Park around the clock and additional officers are assigned on the weekends, Younginer said. If there is a fight or other problem at the end of the beach, it can take police a few minutes to respond in the sand.
"We get a lot of college kids up there; we get a lot of military and we have families. For the most part we don't have a big problem with them," Younginer said. "When we see a group of soldiers up there or even a big family, when it starts to be a big group, we stop to talk to them. We tell them we're going to be coming back and we don't want to see any trash or bottles or we're going to have to ask you to leave.
"We let them know we're here," he said.
Living at the beach was a lifelong dream for Sharon. She said the incident won't diminish its appeal to her family.
"I love it here. Ninety percent of the people here are absolutely wonderful, but there are some bad elements," she said.
"Something needs to be done."
Ken Little: 343-2389
ken.little@starnewsonline.com
Ellie
By Ken Little
Staff Writer
ken.little@starnewsonline.com
Elais "Lee" Simental was just looking to socialize early on the Fourth of July when he went to a party at Freeman Park.
Within 20 minutes of arriving, Simental was severely beaten and had to be airlifted from Carolina Beach to New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Police are investigating the assault as the 25-year-old recovers at home.
Simental suffered a concussion and broken teeth and was unable to speak Friday because of the effects of medication and lingering discomfort from a breathing tube inserted while he was in intensive care.
But his mother had plenty to say.
"I'm so upset about them beating someone who is defenseless," Sharon Simental said. "(Authorities) knew about this holiday and all these young people coming up there, and I think they need to do whatever they can to make that North End more secure. There were fights breaking out everywhere."
Police Chief William K. Younginer said steps have been taken to curb rowdy or violent behavior on the beach, just as Wilmington police are working to eliminate similar activity downtown.
Sharon and her family moved to Carolina Beach about nine months ago from the foothills of Elkin in Surry County. Lee got a job at the nearby state park and after finishing work Wednesday night, he went to Wal-Mart, where he bought a tropical fish and some cat food for family pets.
Lee ran into an acquaintance at a Carolina Beach convenience store who told him about a party at Freeman Park. He parked his car nearby and walked onto the beach. It wasn't long before he was confronted by someone who grabbed the glasses from his face.
"He cannot see without his glasses, and he had a severe panic attack," Sharon said.
A woman then approached him, perhaps to help.
"He couldn't see nothing and he took his arm and flung her, and she landed on the sand," she said.
That's when a group of as many as 15 people began assaulting Lee.
The acquaintance called police, who summoned an AirLink helicopter after they noticed he was having difficulty communicating.
Sharon, a caregiver by profession, has to stay at home to take care of her son. Lee also can't work for the time being. He never recovered his glasses or car keys.
"I'm not blaming the police. They said they will do everything they can," Sharon said.
Younginer said detectives are actively seeking suspects.
"It could be a group of Marines, and we're trying to locate these Marines," he said. "It may take a while, but it is being investigated."
There is a police presence at Freeman Park around the clock and additional officers are assigned on the weekends, Younginer said. If there is a fight or other problem at the end of the beach, it can take police a few minutes to respond in the sand.
"We get a lot of college kids up there; we get a lot of military and we have families. For the most part we don't have a big problem with them," Younginer said. "When we see a group of soldiers up there or even a big family, when it starts to be a big group, we stop to talk to them. We tell them we're going to be coming back and we don't want to see any trash or bottles or we're going to have to ask you to leave.
"We let them know we're here," he said.
Living at the beach was a lifelong dream for Sharon. She said the incident won't diminish its appeal to her family.
"I love it here. Ninety percent of the people here are absolutely wonderful, but there are some bad elements," she said.
"Something needs to be done."
Ken Little: 343-2389
ken.little@starnewsonline.com
Ellie