Hammond Man Charged in Violent Park Attack That Left Autistic Adult with Serious Injuries
A 25-year-old Hammond man has been charged after police say he punched and kicked a man during an attack at Hessville Park that was recorded and shared on social media.
According to court documents, charges were filed September 2, 2025, against Keshaun Artez Kewaun Brooks following the August 15 incident at Hessville Park on Kennedy Avenue.
Police reports state that officers first encountered the victim around 7:15 p.m. with visible injuries, including bleeding from the nose and mouth. Witnesses, including juveniles at the park, told police a man wearing a white shirt and jeans with dreadlocks in a ponytail had attacked the victim. Officers later recovered a tooth from the bike path where the assault occurred. The victim after the incident lost approximately 6 teeth and required heavy reconstruction to the mouth.
A day later, police learned that a video of the beating had been posted on social media. The video, along with Hammond Park Department surveillance footage, showed Brooks striking the victim multiple times in the head and face, then kicking him after he had fallen to the ground. The footage also captured juveniles throwing a trash can and punches at the victim before Brooks joined in the attack .
Investigators identified Brooks as the suspect through video review and surveillance of his vehicle, a gray Toyota Prius with Illinois plates. On August 31, Hammond officers conducted surveillance on the vehicle, stopped it, and arrested Brooks, who admitted during an interview that he punched the victim four times and kicked him once. Brooks reportedly said he should not have put his hands on the man.
The recovered video evidence demonstrated that Lindsey had not engaged in any threatening or abnormal behavior. However, following a brief encounter with juveniles in the park, Brooks approached and violently attacked Lindsey, striking him multiple times in the head and face while he was on the ground. Juveniles present at the scene could be heard taunting the victim during the assault.
Medical records indicated the victim suffered a tooth avulsion, while relatives reported he later had to have more teeth removed, losing a total of six. Police also noted the victim is autistic.
“This was a disgusting, unprovoked act of violence against a vulnerable member of our community,” Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott said. “Hammond will not tolerate it – and our residents can be assured that we will pursue justice swiftly and relentlessly.”
Chief of Police William Short praised the collaborative effort: “This case is a clear demonstration of how swiftly justice can be served when our officers, detectives, and technology work hand-in-hand. From the quick response of patrol to the persistence of our detectives in analyzing every lead, Hammond residents can be assured that when crimes occur in our parks or neighborhoods, we will use every tool available to identify and arrest offenders.”
The Hammond Police Department underscores that this arrest would not have been possible without the combination of traditional investigative work and modern technology such as surveillance cameras at city parks and the license plate reader system strategically placed throughout Hammond. The Department continues to prioritize both public safety and the protection of vulnerable populations in our community.
Charges filed September 2, 2025:
- Level 3 Felony – Aggravated Battery (causing serious permanent disfigurement)
- Level 5 Felony – Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury
- Level 6 Felony – Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury
- Class A Misdemeanor – Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury
Brooks is currently lodged in the Lake County Jail.
