Local Teen Seriously Injured in Knockout Game Assault

A local teen is in the hospital Friday night after investigators said he became the victim of the knockout game.

Manchester native Eric Nagle was attending his first year at Endicott College in Massachusetts when prosecutors say he became the victim of the dangerous game.

Neighbors told NBC Connecticut Nagle is a great kid who has played baseball for as long as they can remember. They say he was playing for the Endicott Gulls and that he felt like he'd found a home at the school, but it was when he was walking on campus early Sunday morning that investigators say he was attacked by a classmate.

Sophomore Dillon DeStefano was arraigned in a Salem, Massachusetts court, accused of severely injuring two students. Police say DeStefano broke Nagle's jaw and shattered the eye socket of another victim.

DeStefano pled not guilty to two counts of aggravated assault and battery. His parents had nothing to say outside of court.

Those who know the victims are outraged.

"It's crazy. We don't want to see it," said Endicott College student Nick Roberts. "We love it here. We have a lot of fun here, and we want to make sure it's over with."

Prosecutors say the reason for the attack is a vicious trend called the Knockout Game, which is when an individual attempts to knockout an unsuspecting stranger with one punch.

Authorities say DeStefano bragged about the attacks and that a witness told police DeStefano did it.

Investigators say a third student was attacked but that the victim has not filed charges. DeStefano remains behind bars without bail.
 

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