SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- We are continuing to follow the developing story of a local DJ and his cousin who were allegedly attacked on Christmas night. Syracuse police say Joe Grosvent and his cousin, James McElyea, attempted to stop five men from harassing a homeless person.
The victims later told police that they walked away from the scene, but were later approached by the suspects on the 100 block of West Fayette Street, where they were assaulted.
Around 10 p.m. Tuesday night, a video was posted online by a person possibly involved in the alleged assault. The video shows Grosvent punching a car window. Subsequent tweets say the poster and his friends were actually giving money to the homeless person. He then claims Grosvent was drunk during the altercation and being a racist towards he, and his friends. He also claims the group's actions were in self defense.
Regardless of what set off the fight, both Grosvent and McElyea did suffer extensive injuries. McElyea did have a plate put into his head after suffering a skull fracture. For unknown reasons, they didn't go to the hospital until the next day, and didn't report the incident to police until Sunday.
The person who posted that video on Twitter did say that he was meeting with police to address the issue.