Special2bme
February 17th, 2009, 09:36 AM
WHEELING - The Wednesday attack that left a Wheeling teen hospitalized may have been caught on tape, and police have a description of the vehicle the suspect or suspects used to leave the scene.
The 14-year-old boy was attacked at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in a parking lot at 231 Bethany Pike.
The teen was being treated Thursday in the intensive care unit of Wheeling Hospital, according to his father, Louis Nickolas. Nickolas said his son suffered trauma after being thrown onto his head.
Nickolas said his son was skateboarding in the Bethany Pike area, where he was confronted by two males he believed to be adults or "college-age kids."
One of them told the boy he didn't like his pants and allegedly slapped him in the face.
Nickolas said his son then made a comment to the male before being thrown to the ground. According to the father, his son's friend was held back by the companion of the alleged assailant.
Nickolas said his son was rendered unconscious and suffered convulsions.
He may have suffered an aneurysm.
The boy also is being treated for a hip injury, according to his father. The teen was transported by a Wheeling Fire Department ambulance to Wheeling Hospital.
Wheeling Police Chief Kevin Gessler said the incident initially was reported as a medical emergency.
Police were notified after Wheeling Fire Department personnel arrived on scene and assessed the situation.
The victim was identified along with at least two witnesses and the mother of the victim.
The chief said police are searching for a silver, two-door vehicle. He said police can't yet confirm the model of the vehicle, but it is similar to a Pontiac Sunfire. Gessler said the front of the car has a black "bra."
Nickolas spoke with at least one Wheeling police detective. Nickolas believes two females were traveling with the alleged assailant or assailants.
Despite the injuries, Nickolas said his son may be released from the hospital in the next few days. He called the suspect or suspects in the assault "cowards."
"I can't believe an adult would find joy in beating up a boy on a skateboard," Nickolas said. "In my opinion, that's the epitome of cowardice."
Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the Wheeling Police Department Detective Unit at (304) 234-3781, or tips can be submitted online at www.wheelingpd.com.
http://www.weirtondailytimes.com/page/content.detail/id/517208.html
The 14-year-old boy was attacked at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in a parking lot at 231 Bethany Pike.
The teen was being treated Thursday in the intensive care unit of Wheeling Hospital, according to his father, Louis Nickolas. Nickolas said his son suffered trauma after being thrown onto his head.
Nickolas said his son was skateboarding in the Bethany Pike area, where he was confronted by two males he believed to be adults or "college-age kids."
One of them told the boy he didn't like his pants and allegedly slapped him in the face.
Nickolas said his son then made a comment to the male before being thrown to the ground. According to the father, his son's friend was held back by the companion of the alleged assailant.
Nickolas said his son was rendered unconscious and suffered convulsions.
He may have suffered an aneurysm.
The boy also is being treated for a hip injury, according to his father. The teen was transported by a Wheeling Fire Department ambulance to Wheeling Hospital.
Wheeling Police Chief Kevin Gessler said the incident initially was reported as a medical emergency.
Police were notified after Wheeling Fire Department personnel arrived on scene and assessed the situation.
The victim was identified along with at least two witnesses and the mother of the victim.
The chief said police are searching for a silver, two-door vehicle. He said police can't yet confirm the model of the vehicle, but it is similar to a Pontiac Sunfire. Gessler said the front of the car has a black "bra."
Nickolas spoke with at least one Wheeling police detective. Nickolas believes two females were traveling with the alleged assailant or assailants.
Despite the injuries, Nickolas said his son may be released from the hospital in the next few days. He called the suspect or suspects in the assault "cowards."
"I can't believe an adult would find joy in beating up a boy on a skateboard," Nickolas said. "In my opinion, that's the epitome of cowardice."
Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the Wheeling Police Department Detective Unit at (304) 234-3781, or tips can be submitted online at www.wheelingpd.com.
http://www.weirtondailytimes.com/page/content.detail/id/517208.html