Elderly Florida Man, Daughter Beaten By ‘College-Aged’ Group For Warning Them About Social Distancing

On Saturday, a 61-year-old man and his daughter were smacked in the head with baseball bats by a group of about 20 "college-aged" people on Wisteria Island, Florida, after they warned the group about social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The man and his 21-year-old daughter, whose identities were not revealed, suffered head injuries.

The man and his daughter confronted the group who were drinking and warned them about the social distancing guidelines. They also requested them to keep the noise down. However, the group started attacking the father and daughter with baseball bats, landing strong blows on their heads.

“Deputy Michael Watkins went to the 230 block of Margaret Street in Key West at 7:30 p.m. and met with a Key West Police Sergeant who told him the male was already en route to Lower Keys Medical Center on Stock Island with a large lump on the side of his head,” the statement released by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office read.

The girl had a large lump on the back of her head and remained at the scene until the police arrived. The daughter told the investigators that she and her dad lived aboard a boat that was anchored northwest of Wisteria Island at the time of the incident. She added that she was unclear about how many people were in the group when they were attacked.

The attackers immediately fled from the scene on three center console boats that were docked at the port.

“A witness did not see the battery but saw three center console boats leave the area and saw the two victims on the beach of Wisteria Island. He then went over to assist them,” the statement read.

Both the victims were released after being treated at the hospital.

The investigation is ongoing and police have asked anyone with information about the attack or the identity of the assailants to call the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 305-292-7000. Tips can also be given to Florida Keys Crime Stoppers at 866-471-8477 or online at www.floridakeyscrimestoppers.com .