CANTON, Ohio — The Canton Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying four juveniles who attacked a man with autism while he was shooting hoops at a city basketball court.
The incident happened at Waterworks Park, 100 Washington Boulevard Northwest, on Monday at around 2:20 p.m.
The 19-year-old victim said four juveniles approached and assaulted him and robbed him of his headphones.
A good Samaritan stepped in after witnessing the attack — a woman drove her car directly onto the court while honking her horn. She was able to get the man to safety and then call 911.
An officer said he saw the woman drive onto the court.
"He actually got in her Jeep and that's when I got a good look at him—they got him pretty good," he said.
The officer said he spends a lot of time at the park and he was "stunned" by what he saw. "This is the first time I witnessed that at that park," he said. "I'd really like to see these kids be brought to justice."
After the woman picked up the man in her Jeep, the four juveniles fled the scene.
The man who was attacked was taken to a nearby hospital, treated and later released.
Police say there are no cameras at the park, but there is some hope they will be added in collaboration with a new system the Canton Police Department is set to roll out later this year.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call detective Stephen Shaffer at 330-438-4442.
