Man Is Beaten, Drowns at Park
A 40-year-old man drowned in the murky water of MacArthur Park’s man-made lake early Saturday morning, just moments after he was beaten by a group of men who witnesses said demanded he pay up on a $4 debt, according to police.
The victim, who was described as a transient and not identified, was walking through the park at 2:30 a.m. when he was confronted by three men. The men accused him of owing them money, and then pummeled him with their fists and feet, Los Angeles police said.
The victim stumbled into the slick-bottomed lake during the attack and struggled to gain his footing, police said. Although the lake is only four to five feet deep, the victim could not swim to safety, police said. After some minutes of thrashing about in the water, he gave up.
“He was so severely beaten that we think he just passed out in the water,” said Michael Partain, a police spokesman.
Several transients witnessed the incident, but authorities were not called until 4:50 a.m., police said.
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