Brutal Attack on Autistic Man in Indiana Park

Scott Lindsay, a 44-year-old man with autism from Hammond, Indiana, experienced a troubling incident last month. While riding his bike after finishing work at a local grocery store where he has been employed for 14 years, he stopped at a drinking fountain in Hessville Park.

Suddenly, a group surrounded him, verbally harassing him before escalating to physical violence—punching, kicking, and beating him. It was as if they saw Lindsay’s vulnerability as a form of entertainment. Sadly, instead of intervening, more people joined the assault rather than helping him.

Reflecting on the incident, Lindsay shared, “I didn’t say anything to them.” He mentioned that they accused him of getting “too close.” Despite suffering significant injuries, including having most of his front teeth knocked out, he insisted he was “fine.”

A witness to the attack called 911, and when the police arrived, they found Lindsay injured and alone, with his assailants already gone. His stepfather, Brian Beatty, confirmed that this assault happened around 7 PM on August 15.

Though Lindsay could not provide a detailed account of the attack due to his injuries, the police documented it as a battery and ensured he received medical care.

Initially hesitant to disclose the attack to anyone, Lindsay’s reluctance changed as the details became clearer. Beatty expressed his outrage, particularly noting that one of the assailants filmed the incident and shared it online.

Expressing his distress, Lindsay, who has lived with his aunt since the passing of his mother, stated, “I’ve felt sick about the whole situation,” adding that he is unlikely to return to the park anytime soon. His family revealed that he requires extensive dental work to address the damage from the assault.

In a silver lining to a difficult event, law enforcement announced that they arrested a suspect connected to the attack. Keshaun Brooks, a 25-year-old from Hammond, was taken into custody during a traffic stop on August 31 and is facing serious charges related to the incident.

Brooks has been charged with multiple felonies, including causing serious injuries and moderate bodily harm. He is currently being held in the Lake County Jail.

According to police, surveillance footage showed Brooks repeatedly assaulting Lindsay while he was on the ground, further highlighting the brutal nature of the attack.