Police arrest man throwing punches at pedestrians
A Madison man was arrested early Saturday morning for randomly attacking pedestrians celebrating the Halloween holiday in the downtown area, fighting with two Wisconsin State Patrol troopers in the process.
According to a police report, the man was walking down the 400 block of North Frances Street with a group of friends, arbitrarily swinging at people walking past. One of the victims, a 19-year-old man from Kenosha, Wis., fell on the concrete and suffered several facial fractures after being struck in the back of the head.
A Wisconsin State Patrol trooper assisting in keeping things under control over the holiday weekend witnessed the attack and followed the suspect. The perpetrator then threw punches at both the trooper and another officer who had arrived to assist in the disturbance.
Damien D. Smith, age 19, of Madison, was arrested and tentatively charged with substantial battery, resisting an officer and bail jumping.
Freakfest attendee attacked after remarking on costumes
A Freakfest partygoer was beaten early Sunday morning after commenting on two women's skimpy Halloween costumes while walking down State Street.
According to a police report, private security guards contacted the Madison Police Department at 2:25 a.m. about a man who needed medical attention. Police said the victim, 35, of Minneapolis, said he made comments to two women wearing very revealing"" costumes.
Police said the pair, who was in earshot of the man, took offense to his remarks and began striking him. The victim said he did not fight back and walked away from the women, who had been in the company of some men. According to police, the victim believes it is possible the men accompanying the two women were the ones who assaulted him.
The victim suffered cuts to his head in the attack. Police describe the perpetrators as two white males, both in their early 20s.
Man knocked unconscious after Halloween party brawl
A man was taken to a local hospital late Friday when he was found unconscious in a parking lot following a fight with two friends after a Halloween house party downtown.
According to a police report, a group of men had been at a house party and ended up fighting in a nearby parking lot in the 1100 block of Mound Street. Friends said the unconscious man, who was in his early 20s, may have said something to provoke the fight, but they were not sure. Police said the men also did not know how their friend became unconscious, but believe he was punched.
A second victim, 22, of Green Bay, Wis., suffered a bloody nose and other facial injuries. Another man, also 22, of Appleton, Wis., came out of the fight with a head cut, sore jaw and knee scrapes.
The injured men were not able to describe any of the men they had fought.
