Greenville police investigate assault of Pokemon Go player

Detectives were seeking leads after a man was knocked unconscious by the Peace Center in downtown Greenville.

It happened about 10:35 p.m. Wednesday on the plaza at South Main and West Broad streets as a group of people were playing Pokémon Go, a popular smartphone game, said Greenville Police Department spokesman Gilberto Franco.

According to a police report, witnesses saw a male suspect walk up to the victim and punch him in the side of the head.

The victim, a 29-year-old Simpsonville man, fell and hit his head on the concrete, losing consciousness, Franco said.

Officers drove around the area but weren’t able to locate the suspect, according to the report.

The victim was taken to the hospital, where his condition deteriorated, Franco said.

He said police are investigating the incident as attempted murder because of the injuries the victim sustained, noting, “He could have brain damage.”

The victim was in stable condition Friday night and remains at the hospital, Franco said.

An investigation is continuing.

The Greenville News

This story was originally published July 30, 2016 at 3:40 PM with the headline "Greenville police investigate assault of Pokemon Go player."