Categories: Florida

Sebastian Police Arrest Felony Aggravated Battery Suspect

SEBASTIAN, Florida — The Sebastian Police Department arrested a suspect after investigating an incident where a man was found nearly beaten to death.

On March 02, 2012 the Sebastian Police Department responded to the 300 block of South Wimbrow Drive regarding a report of a Sebastian man identified as 52-year-old Norman Pruitt who was semi-conscious and severely injured and bloody. Mr. Pruitt had several lacerations and bruises to his face where his eyes were swelling shut and he was bleeding profusely from his face and nose. Mr. Pruitt was initially unable to communicate exactly what had happened to him to police and was air-lifted to a hospital in Melbourne.

Detectives learned after a few days when Mr. Pruitt was able to communicate that ‘a guy who used to live in his neighborhood beat him up’. Mr. Pruitt could only identify the suspect at that time as “Brooklyn” and he used to live around the corner. Mr. Pruitt also told detectives that they both were drinking and smoking drugs.

Sebastian Police Officers had previous contact with a 26-year-old man known as Kelvin James, A.K.A. “Brooklyn” who previously lived on Delmonte Street, around the corner from the incident location. Police say James originally stated that he never was involved in a fight that night.

Detective’s interviewed witnesses who stated at approximately 11:00 PM that night they observed the suspect James was sweating, covered in blood and some of his clothing was ripped. James, reportedly stated he was jumped by “some people by Delmonte Street and Wimbrow Drive.”

Detectives obtained a warrant with no bond for the charges of Felony Aggravated Battery. James was taken in to custody at his residence in Brevard County by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

Police say James confessed to the incident after his arrest. Detectives indicate in the report that Kelvin “Brooklyn” James is not a citizen of the United States and is a flight risk.

Detectives stated that Mr. Pruitt has sustained permanent injuries and still has to under go additional
surgeries.