KRISTV.com
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS | CONTINUOUS NEWS COVERAGE
Powered by
Crime Central
Downtown Assault Caught On Tape
Posted: Dec 3, 2012 5:53 PM by Melissa Schroeder - mschroeder@kristv.com
Updated: Dec 3, 2012 6:42 PM
There are multiple updates to this story. Please click here to get the latest information.
CORPUS CHRISTI -- Surveillance cameras from a nearby downtown business caught an attack on video this past Friday night at the intersection fo Starr and North Chaparral. In the video you can see a man in a black shirt and white hat bump into the victim.
The victim then turns around to talk to the guy and what happens next is chilling. The two talk for a bit and it appears the suspect's buddy tries to prevent the assault.
But, the suspect swings at the victim, who family members identify as, 25-year-old Erik Schwirtlich. He goes down hard on the sidewalk, slamming his head on the concrete, not moving as the two men just walk away.
An employee at a nearby tattoo parlor ran to see what happened. Matthew Rosas said, "I just heard somebody hit the ground and looked over and he was laying there. I ran over there to help him out."
Rosas says his sister-in-law ran out of the shop with him. She tried to revive the victim, who wasn't breathing, and it seemed to help.
Rosas said, "He finally took a little bit of breath and started breathing, but he was still unresponsive."
Rosas screamed for someone to call 911 as he took a closer look at the man lying - near death - in front of him. He called the experience "rough."
He said, "I checked the back of his head because I did see blood and he did have a pretty big knot and his ears started bleeding before the cops showed up."
Emergency crews rushed Schwirtlich to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Today, family members say he's in critical condition, using a walker. He can't really talk right now, but he is expected to survive.
Police say the suspect is a hispanic man 22 to 28 years old, 5'6" to 5'7" tall, weighing 150 to 180 pounds. Call CrimeStoppers at 888-TIPS if you can identify him.
If you would like to follow Melissa Schroeder on Facebook, "friend" her here.
Video On Demand
Submit News
Do you have a tip, information about a breaking news story, or a story idea for 6 Investigates? Contact the KRIS 6 News Desk at 361-884-6666 or send us an email.
Most Popular
KRISTV.COM is Social!
Click the icons above to receive News, Weather, and Sports alerts from KRISTV.COM!
Inside KRISTV.COM
 |
Photo Central Look at photos and videos and share them! |
 |
Desktop Weather Current forecast, hurricane info, and much more! |
 |
KRISTV.COM Mobile Website Get KRISTV.com on your mobile or PDA! |
 |
KRISTV.COM Mobile Apps Get our mobile apps on your mobile or PDA! |
 |
Texas Lottery See the latest winning numbers! |
 |
6 News Team Read about your favorite KRIS-TV personalities! |
 |
FCC Online Public File FCC Public File of Records, Reports, and more |
