Anna Lee

zlee@greenvillenews.com

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 an unknown black 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.

"He could have brain damage," Franco said.

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

Police were attempting to identify the suspect, who was seen leaving the scene with a group of four others.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Greenville Police Department at 864-271-5333 or Crime Stoppers at 23-CRIME.

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