American critical after gang beating

AN AMERICAN national was up to late evening battling for his life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of St Clair Medical Centre after he was set upon early yesterday morning by about eight men who beat him with a blunt instrument about the head and body, police sources said.

John Knights, said by the police to be about 42, of Louisiana, USA, is said to be in a critical condition. Police said Knights, an engineer with an American company identified as MCI, went to Rafters Restaurant and Lounge, corner Warner and Woodford Streets, Woodbrook, Friday night. Knights, who resides in Mayaro, was liming with his friend, Andre DeGannes, of Petit Valley.  Police said DeGannes parked his grey Lancer Mirage vehicle on Woodford Street during the time they were in the restaurant. Sometime after, police said DeGannes left for home, leaving Knights at the restaurant. On reaching his home, police said DeGannes discovered a scratch on the bonnet of his vehicle. Police said about 2am yesterday DeGannes returned to the restaurant to find out who scratched his bonnet. He told Knights about the scratch and then left in a hurry, stopping about 300 metres from the Rafters restaurant. Police said Knights then walked to where DeGannes had stopped.  The two men were then set upon by eight men.

DeGannes, who was also in the scuffle, escaped without any injuries, but Knights fell to the ground, and went into a state of unconsciousness. Police said DeGannes rushed the American to the St Clair Medical Centre, after which a report was made to the police. A party of officers under Sgt Valentine Millette and including acting Sgt Stephen Grant, and PC Rennie Grant visited the scene and conducted investigations. Up to late yesterday, police said no eyewitness had come forward to assist them with their investigations. The manager of Rafters could not be reached for comment up to late evening. However, a man who claimed to be a supervisor told Sunday Newsday that they could not say what transpired outside, however, he confirmed the incident, and said that no one who was at the Rafters was responsible for the beating of the American national. The man blamed it on “outsiders”.