12-Year-Old Randomly Attacked At First Ward Park Left With Bruises And Scratches

CHARLOTTE, NC. — A man accused of randomly attacking a 12-year-old at a Charlotte park is out of jail after turning himself in. That man’s attorney says alcohol played a part in the attack.

WCCB spoke to the victim in that attack. 12-year-old Colton Candee says he was assaulted at First Ward Park Friday night after playing on the jungle gym with a friend. The attack leaving him with bruises and scratches.

39-year-old Benjamin Keyser is charged with simple assault after police say he randomly attacked Colton. He says Keyser was mumbling and acting strange when he walked past him.

“He grabs my neck with his arm and flicks my back on the ground,” says Colton.

Colten tells WCCB, Keyser looked like he was drunk. Keyser’s attorney confirming his suspicions.

“Part of the issue with him being able to relate details of what happened, the inability to do that, I think is likely caused by alcohol consumption,” says Keyser’s attorney Robert DeCurtins.

Keyser was released on unsecured bond.