A man was severely beaten by a group of teenagers at the Minnesota State Fair last Saturday, an incident that has left him with multiple jaw fractures requiring reconstructive surgery.
Sammy Kimbrough, 45, was attending the fair with friends when the altercation began after he reportedly bumped into a teenage boy. According to his fiancée, Heather Hoffman, the situation escalated when the teenager became aggressive, and Kimbrough was punched. Several others then joined the attack, kicking Kimbrough in the face.
Mention of the incident appeared on a GoFundMe fundraiser established for Kimbrough's medical expenses. His friend Kira Roland stated that when Hoffman left a concert to find Kimbrough, she discovered him bleeding and injured.
Minnesota State Fair Police were dispatched to the scene of the incident, located near Carnes Avenue and Nelson Street, at approximately 9:48 p.m. on Saturday. No weapons were reportedly used during the assault, and the assailants were not apprehended at the scene. The Minnesota State Fair Police are actively investigating the incident.
Kimbrough received initial treatment at First Aid West on the fair grounds and was subsequently hospitalized. His injuries include a significant fracture on the right side of his jaw and multiple smaller fractures on the front left side. Hoffman described the attack as "senseless violence" and noted that the couple was in the midst of wedding planning.
Due to the severity of his injuries, Kimbrough underwent reconstructive jaw surgery. He faces a lengthy recovery period during which he will be unable to chew solid food and will need to take time off from work.
The Minnesota State Fair, held annually in St. Paul, is a large event that draws nearly two million attendees over its 12-day run. The fair operates its own police department, comprising approximately 190 officers from various law enforcement agencies across the state, to manage incidents occurring on the grounds.