Deputies arrest attackers in brutal beating

MANATEE — A man was left with three broken ribs, a collapsed lung and a large cut on his head requiring multiple staples after he was attacked in Aloha Estates Mobile Home Park, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.

The man told deputies he was attacked after he got into an argument with several men when he was riding his bike at 10:20 p.m. Nov. 7.

Investigators arrested two suspects from the attack last week. Lee Stevens Watkins, Jr., 26, of Bradenton, and Edward Gonzales, 35, of Bradenton, were both arrested on felony battery charges.

Watkins told deputies the man had been harassing his family for a long time and he snapped, according to an arrest report. He told investigators he struck the man several times and may have blacked out because of his rage. He said the man tried to stab him with a spoon.

Watkins continued to beat the man until his mother convinced him to stop, according to an arrest report.

The victim told authorities Gonzales was choking him as the others struck him, according to an arrest report. Watkins posted a $1,000 bond Friday and Gonzales remained in jail Saturday evening with a $1,000 bond.