Teammate describes attack that could take Emerson student’s life

Emerson College student Daniel Hollis was trying to stop a fight from happening when he was knocked down and left comatose early Saturday morning in Allston, according to a fellow lacrosse teammate who was punched in the face in the altercation.

“He was trying to mediate and get tensions down,” Hollis’ lacrosse teammate told the Herald on Tuesday, his bottom lip still swollen and scabbed over from the fight. No one has been charged in the case, which is under investigation by Boston police. As a victim and witness to a potential crime, the teammate’s name is being withheld by the Herald.

Hollis and several other Emerson lacrosse players were hanging out at the teammate’s Allston apartment on Saturday when they headed out to grab food just before 1:30 a.m. The teammate said they were approached by three college-aged men, who claimed to be University of Massachusetts Boston students.

“They were acting like they were on something, like cocaine,” Hollis’ teammate said. “They asked us for a lighter and we were trying not to pay attention to them but they were up in our faces.”

He said the group of men continued to badger them, almost as if they were “looking for a fight.” He said Hollis tried to ease the tension, but things escalated.

“I got hit around the same time as Dan. I was dazed. They were all pushing and shoving and the next thing I knew, he was on the ground. The whole thing only lasted for 15 or 20 seconds,” the teammate said.

When it ended, he said he found Hollis on the ground, “breathing but not responsive.”

“We called the cops, who were there almost immediately, but the guys darted away fast,” he said.

Hollis is comatose, and family members said Tuesday he was not expected to survive. For now, Hollis’ teammate said he’s taking it day by day and leaning on the support of his other teammates.

“I’m devastated. You never expect something like that to happen,” he said.

He described Hollis as “super upbeat, energetic and fun to be around.” He was a sophomore who loved to listen to Travis Scott, cheer for the Bruins and go to Red Sox games with his friends.

It was a far cry from the young man they visited Tuesday in the hospital.

“He was all IVs and tubes. His head was shaved. We knew at that point he wouldn’t be waking up, but we just wanted to go to see him — to see his family — one last time,” he said.

His teammate said when he thinks of Hollis he’ll remember him joking around on the bus as they headed to away games, and making everyone laugh when just hanging out.

“I’m going to miss his smile, his laugh,” his said, tears in his eyes.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2oge5zb