Yankees Fan In Critical Condition After Assault At Camden Yards
BALTIMORE (WJZ)— A Yankees fan sucker punched by two Orioles fans at Camden Yards is in critical condition. The aftermath of the fight was caught on cell phone video.
Rochelle Ritchie has more on what led to the fight and how a local business in the victim's community is coming together to help.
The two men accused of hitting the 25-year-old are now both charged. The victim remains in Shock Trauma and his medical bills are piling up.
Cell phone video captures the frightening moments after 25-year-old Matthew Fortese was sucker punched by two Orioles fans at Camden Yards as they took on the Nationals.
"That man is hurt bad over there because of them guys," said a witness.
Witnesses tell police these Orioles fans--21-year-old Michael Bell and 22-year-old Gregory Fleischman---were taunting Fortese throughout the game, some say because of his Yankees apparel.
"We had a group of young men throw a beer and when they threw that beer, it ended up hitting another individual," said Anthony Guglielmi.
Fortese confronted the men. He was hit and fell over the concrete barrier, hitting his head. Cell phone video captured the commotion as paramedics were called to the stands. The men accused of instigating the fight were placed under arrest.
"He was spitting on that guy that was lying down, he was spitting on him," said a witness.
Fortese remains in the hospital with a fractured skull. The incident has caused action by another Yankees fan to help.
"So these are our community night fliers that we'll hand out," said Brian Campbell.
Campbell owns Jimmy John's in the victim's hometown of Hagerstown and shares a common love for the Yankees. He's holding a special fundraiser that will help Fortese.
"On Wednesday, June 26, from 5 until 9 o'clock, we are going to donate 25 percent of our earnings to Matt and his family to pay for his medical bills," said Campbell. "It could have been me. It could have been my kids, growing up. It could have been anybody, really."
Fleischman is charged with first- and second-degree assault. Michael Bell is charged with second-degree assault. Both were held on a $250,000 bond. The men are also charged with disorderly conduct.
The Orioles' spokesperson has not commented on the altercation.
