Two Maryland teens are facing charges after a 59-year-old man was beaten to death on Sept. 20 in what investigators are calling an “unprovoked” attack, authorities said.
Frederick County State Attorney Charlie Smith said on Sept. 22 that the two male suspects, aged 15 and 16, could face either involuntary or voluntary manslaughter, or second-degree murder charges. Those charges likely mean both would be tried in adult courts instead of juvenile ones, reported the Frederick News-Post.
On Sept. 20, police officers assigned to the Great Frederick Fair were notified of an assault near the midway area of the fairgrounds, said the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office in a press release. The victim, who was identified early Sept. 23 as John Weed, was found lying unconscious on the ground a short time later.
Weed, 59, was transported to a Baltimore hospital for treatment and died the afternoon of Sept. 21, police said. The victim’s body was sent to the state medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.
“Criminal Investigators responded to the scene and interviewed numerous witnesses who indicated that the person assaulted was the victim of an unprovoked attack,” said the press release. Two teenage suspects, whose identities remain undisclosed, were located and arrested after an investigation into the fatal attack.
Although the investigators have not released any details about the possible motive at this time, Smith told the local newspaper that the suspects might have been playing the so-called “knockout” game, in which the challenger tries to knock down an unsuspecting passer-by with a single punch.
But, he added that it is still too early to say what exactly happened.
The two suspects were initially charged with second-degree assault, according to the press release. The younger one received additional charges of first-degree assault and reckless endangerment.
Meanwhile, the event’s organizer had to dismiss rumors that there had been multiple attacks that involved stabbing and shooting. A statement posted on the Fair’s Facebook page called the attack “an isolated incident” that was under control, thanks to the efforts of the law enforcement team.
“The Great Frederick Fair’s number one priority is the safety and security of our guests,” read a statement posted on Facebook. “To dispel rumors of the events of last night, while there was an assault, there was NO shooting and NO stabbing. The team of security and law enforcement was able to respond rapidly to control and contain the incident.”
Great Frederick Fair is a 9-day agricultural fair that has been held every September since 1862, when it used to be called the Cattle Show and Fair. This year’s event features live music entertainment, a farming expo, and carnival rides.
