2 Charged After Moorhead Assault Leaves Man in Coma

May 16

Two men are charged with first-degree assault after a violent attack late Sunday night in Moorhead left a man hospitalized, with a fractured skull and multiple brain bleeds.

The victim remains in a coma, and police say the injuries may be permanent.

Just after 11 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, Moorhead police were called to an apartment building on the 1000 block of 32nd Avenue South after a disconnected 911 call came in from a male voice asking for officers. Yelling could be heard in the background before the line cut out. A short time later, another caller reported that a man had been “jumped” and was lying injured in the parking lot.

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Officers arrived and found the man bleeding from the nose, right ear and back of his head. He was unable to answer questions and struggled to stand. A broken cell phone was located nearby, along with a wallet and car keys. His fiancé arrived at the scene and told officers he had gone out to take out the garbage and didn’t return, so she came outside to look for him. He was taken by FM Ambulance to Sanford Hospital in Fargo.

Hospital staff later contacted police around 5:45 a.m. Monday, May 12, to report the man was in a coma. Doctors said he had suffered a skull fracture, abrasions to the back of his head and several brain bleeds. He was sedated, placed on a ventilator and was not expected to regain full function. His condition had deteriorated rapidly upon arrival at the hospital, the documents said. Hospital staff indicated the man would remain hospitalized for several weeks and that his brain damage was likely permanent.

The man’s fiancé later told detectives that after the ambulance left, she saw three men in the area and confronted them, asking if they had been involved. She said one of them warned her to “check out before it is too late.” She described the men as Hispanic, with two taller individuals and one shorter male who was shirtless and had tattoos.

Detectives began reviewing surveillance video and speaking with neighbors. One witness said he heard yelling around the time of the assault and saw three males in the parking lot, one of whom he believed was white with a bald head. Another described seeing four men near the dumpster and said someone told her a man had been knocked out and was lying on the ground. A third witness said he saw two men punching the victim and believed they were either Hispanic or Native American. He said they walked west on 32nd Avenue after the assault.

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Surveillance footage showed three men walking through the parking lot and entering a bar nearby on 30th Avenue South. Investigators confirmed with staff that the men had been there for a short time and video captured clear images of their faces.

Police identified one of the men as Anthony Charles Nabors, 39, of Moorhead. Detectives spoke with Nabors at his home and he admitted to being with the group seen on video, the court documents allege. He told police the man who was later assaulted confronted him and a friend, accusing them of trespassing. Nabors claimed the man “chest bumped” him, so he punched him once and walked away. He denied seeing anyone else assault the man or damage his phone.

Detectives then located the second individual, who also admitted to being present with Nabors, but denied witnessing the assault. He said they were confronted later by a woman accusing them of beating someone up.

The third man was eventually identified as Mario Aaron Ortega Patino, 24, after investigators located someone wearing the same shirt seen in the surveillance footage. Ortega Patino confirmed his identity using an Oregon ID and a Mexican passport. He told police he had propped open the security door of the building with a rock and was confronted when the victim kicked it away. Ortega Patino said he saw Nabors punch the victim, and when the man began calling 911, he grabbed the phone and smashed it. He then admitted to punching the victim himself, saying he did so for no reason and that he was intoxicated. Officers noted a mark on his hand, which he said came from hitting the victim.

Nabors and Ortega Patino have both been charged with aiding and abetting first-degree assault resulting in great bodily harm. Nabors remains in custody while Ortega Patino is being sought on a warrant. Authorities have not yet released the name of the victim.

Each man faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of first-degree assault. Nabors remains jailed and is expected to make an initial court appearance on Friday.

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