Carl's Story

Sometime between 3:30-4:30 am on the morning of Oct 16, 2007, Carl Williams, an 8 year resident of Regency Cove, was cleaning up the front porch on Blvd 1. He finished his beer, crushed his cigarette into the ashtray, walked down the step to put a bag of trash out in front. A good friend had just left 15 minutes earlier, and Carl was smiling about some of the memories that conversation evoked.

Some movement down the street caught his attention. He noticed a younger, darker complected man walking north, and as he approached Carl, the man asked him for some money. Carl admits he may have been sharp with his response, maybe saying something like, "Go out and get a job." Carl turned his back on the guy. The first blow was to the back of his head, throwing Carl towards the wall of his porch. As he turned to face his attacker, a second punch caught him square in the face.

Carl tried to protect his face with both of his arms, attempting several times to kick his attacker. He worked his way off the porch, but the taller man had the better of him. Whether he slipped on the stones in front or was knocked down, Carl isn't sure, but he was kicked in the ribs while on the ground, and thinks he blacked out for maybe half an hour.

The first thing he remembers is his phone call to a friend, who showed up around 6am. He then dialed 911 and the paramedics, and later the police, arrived. Carl was taken to the VA hospital with head injuries, a missing tooth, and abrasions on his arms and legs. He remained for two and a half days. Carl is feeling better, sore in the ribs, but embarassed about being unable to better defend himself. He promises to be more vigilant in the future of strangers in the park .