FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. - St. Paul police are investigating a severe beating that occurred outside the Minnesota State Fair early Saturday morning, Aug. 1, that left a man in critical condition.

According to the man's brother, the victim is 48-year-old Mike Donnelly of Little Canada, Minn.

Randy Donnelly said he was with his brother and a friend at the Fair on Friday night but left early since he had to work the next morning.

He said he offered to give Mike and the friend a ride home, but they said they were going to stay a bit later and catch an Uber home.

Officers were called about 12:30 a.m. to the intersection of Albert Street and Breda Avenue, which is a few blocks away from the Snelling Avenue entrance to the Fair, said Steve Linders, public information officer for the St. Paul Police Department.

Upon arriving, officers found an unconscious man who had been assaulted, Linders said.

The man, identified by his brother as Mike Donnelly, was taken to Regions Hospital where he is listed in critical condition.

Randy Donnelly said he was told his brother was on his cellphone as he walked, trying to set up the Uber ride when the two friends passed a house with a party. People yelled at the two men and words were exchanged.

"A bunch of people were drinking and saying stuff to them," Randy Donnelly said. "My brother kept walking. He was on his cellphone and someone came up behind and hit him with something, maybe a bat, and then when he was on the ground, they stomped his head in."

Randy Donnelly said his brother was in really bad shape.

"They told me the chances are real good he won't be the same guy if he gets out of this, if he does. It's just sickening," Randy Donnelly said. "My brother is fighting for his life for absolutely no reason, and the person who did this has to be found."

Police are asking for anyone who has information on the assault to call 651-266-5650.

"Due to the severity of the injuries and the fact that these types of attacks are incredibly rare - especially around the State Fair - we are concerned about the brutality of it and want to make sure we find the person or people responsible," Linders said.

Few details about the crime were available Sunday. Linders noted that as soon as the assault was discovered the victim was rushed to the hospital, and investigators have been working the case ever since.