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Father beaten protecting daughter at Valleyfair
Grand Forks Herald Published Tuesday, July 15, 2008
 SHAKOPEE, Minnesota

A father who tried to protect his 12-year-old daughter after she was groped while leaving Valleyfair amusement park was beaten, stomped in the face and kicked by a group of young men, police said.

The 41-year-old victim, identified in a criminal complaint only by his initials, was unconscious when police arrived. He suffered skull fractures and possible bleeding on the brain, the documents said.
"We see assaults, but that's brutal," Shakopee police Sgt. Jay Arras said.

Six men, ranging in age from 18 to 22, have been charged with third-degree felony assault. A 14-year-old boy was also arrested.
Arras said the man and his family were leaving Valleyfair around midnight on July 4 when a man "tried to grab the 12-year-old girl in a sexual manner."
Scott County Attorney Patrick Ciliberto said the girl was either touched or slapped on the buttocks. The father yelled to protect his daughter, but the man called in some friends who were at the park.

When the friends arrived, the father "was jumped from behind by all of them," Arras said.
The man's wife and daughter watched the beating, Arras said. The victim's wife said the men took turns stomping on her husband's face as he was on the ground.

Valleyfair released a statement saying: "Guest and employee safety is always the top priority at Valleyfair. Valleyfair is a very safe family amusement park, and we will continue to do whatever is necessary to make it as safe as possible for our guests and employees."

Charges of third-degree felony assault were filed against
Darris D. Evans, 20, of Brooklyn Park;
Derry D. Evans, 19, Minneapolis;
Devondre Evans-Lewis, 18, of Columbia Heights;
Terry L. Arnold, 22, of Brooklyn Park;
Andrew D. Shannon, 19, of Minneapolis;
Anthony C. Gildersleeve, 20, Edina;
and the unidentified juvenile.

Bail was set at $40,000 to $60,000 each and all have posted bail bonds, officials said

Park security also responded to the attack, but the suspects had already left the area. They were arrested by Shakopee police. An eighth person sought in the attack hasn't been found, Shakopee Capt. Jeff Tate said.

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