TAMPA, Fla. — Police have released photos of two suspects accused of attacking a man after a concert at Club Skye, a nightclub in Ybor City, according to Tampa police.
On Wednesday morning, police released a new photo of a suspect, citing tips from the public. The photo of another man previously released as a potential suspect was determined to not be involved, the agency said.
The alleged attack happened just after 1 a.m. Monday, police said in a statement. The nightclub's website shows rapper Nardo Wick took the stage just hours before.
Police say a man tried to approach the performer for a photo after the concert had ended, however, people who appeared to be in his entourage instead punched the man. He was immediately taken to a hospital outside of Hillsborough County where the report was later made, Tampa police said.
"At this time, the victim remains in critical, but stable condition," the police department said.
The victim has been identified by his family as 20-year-old George Obergon. His mother, Michelle Obergon, spoke with 10 Tampa Bay outside the hospital where he is recovering on Tuesday.
"To say my son is in this situation for a simple selfie is just mind-blowing," Michelle Obergon said. Michelle Obergon said her son is now recovering from a serious concussion and brain bleeding, but he's conscious.
"We cannot say with a brain injury where he can be in a week, two weeks, a year, five years. The brain has to heal on its own," she continued.
George Obergon went to the concert with his friend, Connor Villa, who was also at the hospital on Tuesday.
"After the video stops, Nardo, the artist, rips the one person who was hitting George off and tells everyone to get in the car, the guys who hit him and everyone got in the car," Villa said. "I run over to tend to my friend and he's sitting up against the wall and is non-responsive."
It was a dark turn to a night that George Obergon dreamed of.
"It's just something that was supposed to be so fun," Villa said. "Us having a great time trying to meet one of our favorite artists turned into something I'll never forget."
Rapper Nardo Wick released the following statement on social media Tuesday evening:
"I don’t condone what happened to my fan George after my show in any type of way, I expressed to him and his mama how sorry and concerned I was that it happened to him, multiple times before anything was even posted or on the Internet. I sent his mama my number instantly the night it happened.
"I was even gone make a post to try to find out who he was before his mama text me. I can’t control another grown man actions, I ain’t know that was gone happen, and I was mad when it happened. I try to stop it as u can see in the video, and if somebody got the longer video, you can see how mad I was, I love and appreciate all my fans and don’t condone in what happened at all that sh*t ain’t gangsta or cool in no type of way."
A representative for Nardo Wick told 10 Tampa Bay in a separate statement that the individuals involved in the fight are "not his security nor are the individuals directly connected to Nardo."
According to the agency, detectives are aware of videos circulating on social media. 10 Tampa Bay has reviewed one such video (warning: viewer description is advised) that appeared to show a man getting punched and falling into a brick wall. He's punched again, and he falls onto the pavement.
Police are interested in speaking with anyone who might have witnessed the incident or who has information that would help with identifying the people involved.
Anyone with information that could help can call the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130 or submit an anonymous tip by contacting Crime Stoppers at 800-873-8477 or via TIP411.