ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Police Department is asking for the public's help as officers are looking for several people involved in a violent fight using skateboards in downtown Orlando back in May.
- Attack happened in May on Central Boulevard
- Police unable to identify the skateboarders
- OPD says they just want to talk to them
Witness video shows several young males hitting two men with skateboards on Central Boulevard in front of the Orange County Regional History Center at 10:18 p.m., Wednesday, May 01.
One of the men explained to police that he and his male friend were talking to a group of females when some white skateboarders were also trying to speak to the females, according to authorities.
At one point, some of the skateboarders tried to do a trick that almost hit the two men. One of the men told the skateboarders to "watch out," which escalated into an argument and then a fight.
Video provided by witnesses showed that some of the skateboarders used their skateboards against the two men.
One of the men, Brett Thompson, was "blind sided" when someone struck him in the head with a skateboard. In a video, Thompson was seen crawling away between two vehicles, but the skateboarders followed him and continued the attack.
"He tried to exit the altercation, and instead of those suspects fleeing themselves and going away from it they go after him, they chase him. That's very disturbing. It's a very troubling piece of video to watch," said Cory Burkarth, a public information officer with the Orlando Police Department.
Thompson later told authorities that he lost consciousness during the encounter, according to authorities. He suffered injuries to his head, neck, left shoulder and knees.
Police say they have not been able to identify the skateboarders and no detailed description has been given out for them. In fact, Thompson stated that he could not provided a description to the skateboarders who attacked him.
Authorities say that the skateboarders are not considered suspects and that police just want to talk to them and get their side of the story.
Police would not say why they waited so long, but after three months with no arrests, they are now asking the public's help.
Anyone with information about this case can call Orlando Police, or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).