MATTHEWS, N.C. -- A man was beaten within an inch of his life over the weekend, trying to defend his wife's honor.
Police say the suspect is a teenager.
Thousands of people go to Matthews Alive for fun -- not for a trip to the hospital.
"They proceeded to beat him brutally, near death. He has brain swelling, a busted ear drum, a busted jaw. It's just awful," said a friend of the victim who did not want to be identified. "It's heart breaking. There has definitely been tears shed over it. It just breaks my heart."
Police say the 43-year-old man and his wife were walking home Saturday at about 10:15 p.m. when they encountered a pack of teens.
One of them said something to his wife and the man responded verbally. Seconds later he got punched.
"He was able to identify the person that assaulted him and we were able to locate him and had him in custody that evening," said Stason Tyrrell with the Matthews Police Department.
Police are not sure if just one teen or several attacked the man. Officers arrested a 15-year-old.
"He was impaired at the time due to alcohol and had marijuana on his possession, so he'll be charged with those as well," said Tyrrell.
The victim may have tried to walk away, but the suspects kept on egging him on.
"He did what he was supposed to do. That's all there is to it. He did what he was supposed to do," said Cynthia Dickerson, who attended the festival.
"They could have a gun, a knife, anything!. My advice has always been to my kids -- just walk away, ignore the person," says Elise Orinstien, who also attended the festival.
A family member tells NewsChannel 36 the victim could be coming home Tuesday, provided a CAT scan shows no more damage to his head.
The victim is currently listed in fair condition at Carolinas Medical Center.
Police arrested one teen, but they are still investigating and it's possible they will make more arrests.
