Story by: Jordyn Taylor
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Angela McGruder's eighteen-year-old son Demarlio Micheal remains in critical condition.
His family said Michael was celebrating Halloween with friends Monday night when an argument started at a house on Mississippi Street.
Witnesses said the alleged attacker, who is white, yelled that the young black men were trespassing.
"My cousin was walking down the street testing in his phone and he didn't know the guy was coming," said Carla Drake. "Next thing you know, he was laid out in the street, they hit him in the back of the head with a gun."
"What hurt me is they started hitting him in the head even though he was unconscious," said McGruder.
Dustin Harvey was arrested Monday night and charged with second degree battery. But McGruder and others in the neighborhood said this wasn't just a fight between two boys, but that it was a hate crime.
"Yeah I think it was racist because after he did it, they told me he said white power," said McGruder. "Why is he saying white power."
These pictures from Harvey's Facebook page leads the family to further believe that the attack was inspired by hate.
Harvey posted bail shortly after being arrested Monday and McGruder said its just not fair.
"He shouldn't have been able to post bond and my son is laying in the hospital with his brain swelling and head bleeding," said McGruder.
