[S]eparate assaults in Burlington’s Battery Park hours apart on Tuesday left two victims hospitalized and two men behind bars.
Tyrone Bryant, 41, and Cory Lott, 40, were first arrested Tuesday afternoon in connection with an assault that left a male victim unconscious and injured, partially undressed and surrounded by blood, according to a statement from the Burlington Police Department.
Police responded to a call about the attack around 5 p.m., finding multiple witnesses in the assault’s immediate vicinity, none of whom were cooperative, according to the release. The victim was transported by the Burlington Fire Department to the University of Vermont Medical Center, where he was intubated.
Bryant was identified as a suspect by one witness in the park, and was arrested at the scene. Police noted that Bryant has been an arrestee, suspect, or person of interest in “dozens” of incidents, including assaults, disturbances, thefts, threats and harassment, and public intoxications. He has two felony convictions and five misdemeanor convictions.
During Bryant’s arrest, police said Lott, one of the uncooperative witnesses, intervened and “attempted to hinder officers from effecting a lawful arrest.” Police reported that Lott was warned that his behavior was unlawful, but he continued to threaten and disobey officers. He was also arrested at the scene. Lott has similarly been an arrestee, suspect, or person of interest in “dozens” of police incidents involving assaults, disturbances, threats and harassment, and public intoxications, according to police. He has two misdemeanor convictions and two sex-crime convictions.
Both men were released later Tuesday night — Lott with a citation for hindering arrest and disorderly conduct, and Bryant with a citation for assault. After Bryant’s release, he made statements implicating Lott in the assault, which police used to develop a case against both men for the felony assault, according to the police statement.
Around 11:30 p.m, police came back to Battery Park to respond to a second felony assault. The second victim was identified as being one of the uncooperative witnesses to the first assault. Police reported that his arms and face had been slashed with a knife, resulting in multiple deep lacerations. He had also been kicked in the head and face, and was brought to UVMMC where he got 24 stitches to close his wounds. He was “uncooperative,” and refused to identify his attackers, according to police.
Wednesday morning, officers interviewed both victims at UVMMC. The first victim was “unable to offer specific details of his assault, however, the second identified Bryant and Lott as perpetrating the first assault. He said they beat the first victim unconscious and then took and discarded his shoes and attempted to remove his pants to humiliate him, according to the release. The second victim also identified Lott as having slashed him, and Bryant has having kicked and struck him during the second assault.
Later Wednesday morning, police were called to City Hall Park after employees of surrounding businesses reported a male drinking in public and being verbally aggressive toward members of the public, and members in a UVM Horticulture meeting in particular. Police identified Lott as the subject of the calls, and located Bryant in the park as well. Officers arrested both men, and transported them to the police station, where they were each charged with aggravated assault and held without bail pending arraignment.
“Burlington’s parks and great outdoor spaces belong to all of us, but behaviors like those of which these men are accused — from aggressive disorder to felony assault — prevent all of us from fairly enjoying them,” said Jon Murad, deputy chief of operations, in a statement. “Burlington is safer because of their efforts.”
